When life becomes hectic and overwhelming, my husband Steve and I are very intentional about creating mini-breaks which must include some type of adventure.  This past weekend, we decided it was time to refuel up north.  We love the Northwoods where we are surrounded by nature at every turn. 

When I create space in my life to just be, I become deeply reflective and inspired. So let me share some of the thoughts I experienced up north while refueling in nature.

There is something so mesmerizing, captivating, and healing about sitting next to waterfalls.  The falls roar with a purpose, flowing without resistance and keep moving no matter what lies in their path.  The water keeps coming and coming. It’s more than just the beauty, it’s a masterclass of several deep lessons intertwined in the concepts of resilience, renewal, and surrender.  All the lessons it can teach us are excellent reminders when we are running on empty or near empty.

Over the years of writing this blog, I have established that many of us in the caregiving and the healthcare professions are at risk for burnout.  We give and give and give some more.  Sometimes it can feel like there is no more to give…that is where the lessons from the waterfalls come in to restore our fuel.

WATERFALL LESSONS

1. Go with the flow:  Let go, go with the flow. Refueling the heart is about letting go and surrendering to what is.  When we stop resisting life and the challenges we face…healing happens. Trust the process, trust the experience. Embrace what is.  There is freedom and power in flexibility while going with the flow.

2. Let the obstacles shape you, not keep you stuck:  When the water meets the rocks, it doesn’t quit, it finds a new path. As humans we need to do the same.  Challenges or obstacles sometimes help us redirect to what matters most, like taking time to refuel and reflect on our next steps.

3. Little drops collectively create BIG POWER:  Refueling initiatives can integrate this same principle.  It is not necessary to have a grand adventure or vacation to refuel.  It truly just requires small intentional acts of caring for oneself.  A quiet morning. A deep breath in the moment. A short walk. Listening to calm music. Each one is a drop, but together they become a great force to keep one’s heart refueled.

4. Trust that the calm will come:  After the falls, there is always a stillness noted.  Sometimes we just need to let ourselves feel the full gamut of emotions—to cry, to rest, to release in whatever way works best for us.  After that, the calm comes just like is evident in the river after the falls.  In the calm, the heart can be refueled.

5. Let your voice roar:  Big waterfalls don’t whisper, they ROAR.  Their presence is known often times from a great distance even before being seen.  Refueling means speaking up and asking for what you need, saying no without guilt or simply being seen and heard. Take up space and have a voice in all things that matter most to you.

6. Hope is found in the light:  When the sunlight is just right the waterfall creates a rainbow in the mist from the falling water.  Through the chaos, beauty emerges.  When life is rough or the season you are traveling through is hard—hold on because the light is still present, even if you can’t see it yet.  Keep the faith.

7. Begin again:  We always have the opportunity to start over or begin again.  Each day brings a fresh start and a new choice about what we will do to refuel ourselves.  The water at falls never stops coming.  It circles back, evaporates, returns and begins again.  So can we.

8. Let the water refuel you: Nature has such powerful refueling properties. Personally, waterfalls refuel my weary and tired soul every time.                                                                                                                                                           Sol duc Falls, Olympic National Park, WA

9. Change is constant: The water/river is never the same two days in a row. The flow changes and the pounding of the water on the rocks changes the formations. The water that has passed in this moment is downstream in the next moment.  Change is natural and inevitable. Embrace even the change of your refueling need from day to day.

10. Let gravity ground you:  Like water pulled down the falls, it is imperative to stay grounded in our purpose while moving forward in life.

 Waterfalls bring us many powerful and refueling/self-care life lessons.  As a metaphor for resilience, surrender, and renewal, waterfalls remind us to go with the flow, embrace inevitable change, and trust that calm follows chaos. Each lesson above serves as a gentle yet urgent reminder for caregivers and healthcare workers to prioritize their own well-being. Whether it's through small daily rituals or deeper moments of stillness, the key message is clear: refueling the heart is essential—and nature offers profound wisdom on how to begin again, stay grounded, and keep hope alive.

                        

Copper Falls State Park, WI

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Contact me: 
chartline@rwhc.com
608-644-3235

Cella Janisch-Hartline, RN, BSN, PCC Professional Certified Coach, Nursing Leadership Senior Manager for Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative has been involved in various healthcare industry leadership positions for the past 40 years. The majority of her career has been spent working in an acute care critical access facility for nearly 25 years. Throughout her work experience, she has learned most of her leadership skills and techniques through the school of “hard knocks”. Cella’s passion for teaching leadership tips and techniques earned her the 2018 Outstanding Educator Award through the National Rural Health Association. She is well-known for her humorous, engaging and personable facilitation style.