“Everything flows out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall.” — The Kybalion
What we know for sure is that life is never just up. It’s also never just down. But when we’re in the thick of a hard season, it sure feels like it’s always going to be that way. And when life is good, we want to hold on so tightly we forget change is part of the deal too.
The Universal Law of Rhythm reminds us that life isn’t static—it swings.
Like a pendulum.
Like ocean tides.
And when you understand that rhythm, instead of fighting the flow, you learn to ride it. Let’s get into some universal truths this #SoulFoodSunday.
Understanding the Pendulum: Life’s Natural Swing
The Universal Law of Rhythm is one of the seven Hermetic principles found in The Kybalion, an esoteric text believed to contain the wisdom of ancient Egypt. This particular law teaches that everything in life operates in cycles, much like the swinging of a pendulum: left to right, high to low, joy to sorrow, abundance to scarcity. It’s nature’s way of keeping balance.
Picture a grandfather clock’s pendulum. When it swings high on the right, it eventually must swing just as far to the left. That swing is predictable, measurable, and part of the design.
Now think about your own life. Those seasons of high energy, breakthroughs, blessings, clarity? They’re the pendulum swinging to the right. But inevitably, the energy must shift. Not because you’re doing something wrong—but because rhythm demands balance.
This swing is happening all the time: in your mood, finances, relationships, energy, faith, emotions, even global consciousness.
And guess what? You don’t have to fear it.
You just have to understand it.
When You’re on the Upswing
The highs feel amazing, don’t they? The love flows, money’s good, your body’s energized, and life is peaceful.
But the mistake we make in the upswing is assuming it’ll last forever. We coast. We overspend. We overcommit. We forget to give thanks. We get cocky with the ease.
And sometimes, instead of relaxing into the blessing, we start to worry about when it’ll all come to an end. That fear creeps in, whispering, “This is too good to be true.” We brace for impact, sabotaging the very joy we prayed for. We shrink our dreams, withhold our full expression, or unconsciously create chaos just to feel in control again. That’s the shadow side of rhythm—the mistrust of flow.
But the wise prepare during the high. They store like Joseph in Egypt, who interpreted Pharaoh’s dream of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine (Genesis 41). Joseph didn’t panic—he prepared. He recognized the rhythm of the dream and honored it with strategy.
When you’re in a season of overflow—honor it. Rest. Build reserves. Sow seeds. Make space for rest and reflection. Because the pendulum will swing back. That’s not pessimism, and please don’t worry about it. Preparation is wisdom.
When You’re in the Valley
Let’s be honest—this is the hardest place to be.
You’re doing the right things, but it feels like nothing’s working. The money’s not stretching, your body’s tired, the energy’s low, and your prayers feel unanswered. This is when the pendulum has swung to the left, and you’re in what I like to call “the sacred stretch.”
Spiritually, this is when you develop muscle. Because rhythm teaches us that nothing stays still forever. And that means even your hard season has an expiration date.
Psalm 30:5 says it plain: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” That’s not just pretty poetry—that’s rhythm. That’s divine timing at work.
So when you’re in a valley, stop trying to “force” your way back up. Instead, flow with the season. Rest more. Be gentle with yourself. Reflect. Release. Recharge.
This is when your roots grow deep—if you let them.
The Law of Rhythm and Emotional Mastery
From a metaphysical perspective, this law doesn’t just govern circumstances—it governs your emotional body too.
Ever notice how your moods swing? One day you’re motivated, the next you’re questioning everything. One moment you’re in love, the next you’re annoyed and disconnected.
You are not unstable. You’re rhythmic.
The key is not to attach your identity to any one swing. You are not the low energy. You are not the anxiety. You are not the excitement. You are the awareness behind the swing.
When you can observe your emotions instead of being swept by them, you start to master rhythm.
You might say, “But this feels like more than a mood swing—this is life doing too much.”
Yes, and even that has rhythm. There are collective cycles—astrological, cosmic, seasonal—that impact our inner world. Ancient mystics knew this. Farmers know it. Even your menstrual cycle is governed by it.
When you understand rhythm, you can stop beating yourself up and start working with it.
Flow vs. Control: Stop Resisting the Dip
One of the biggest sources of burnout is the lie that we have to “push through” every dip.
Let me lovingly call that out—it’s not sustainable. It’s not divine. And it’s not in alignment with rhythm.
Even Jesus withdrew from the crowds and went into the mountains to pray (Luke 5:16). He honored his inner rhythm. He rested. He wasn’t always “on.” He didn’t heal everyone at once. He understood sacred timing and spiritual flow.
There’s wisdom in not forcing. In letting yourself be. Seasons come with sacred assignments—and rushing only robs you of the gift hidden inside the waiting.
When the pendulum swings low, ask: What is this season asking of me? Reflection? Surrender? Healing? Slowness?
Then honor that.
Sacred Rhythm in Nature and Scripture
Nature doesn’t resist rhythm. Trees don’t hold onto their leaves in the fall. Bears don’t force themselves to stay awake during hibernation. The moon waxes and wanes in divine timing.
You too are nature.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
That includes the season you’re in right now.
Not every season is meant for expansion. Some are meant for rest. For pruning. For testing your roots.
And that’s okay.
When you honor rhythm, you reclaim your peace.
Using Rhythm as a Tool for Growth
Here’s the thing: rhythm isn’t just a concept—it’s a tool.
You can anticipate it. Plan for it. Flow with it.
- When energy is high: create, build, and expand. Use the momentum.
- When energy is low: rest, reflect, and release. Use the stillness.
This is not laziness—it’s wisdom. The ocean doesn’t apologize for ebbing. And neither should you.
You get to trust that what’s low will rise again. And what’s high will teach you how to sustain.
That’s rhythm.
Grounded Strategies for Riding the Swing
Here are some practical ways to live in alignment with the Law of Rhythm:
- Journal Your Cycles
Track your mood, energy, creativity, and clarity. You’ll start to see your personal rhythms—and knowing them is power.
- Build During the High
When you feel good and clear, use that time wisely. Write. Create. Launch. Don’t waste your upswing.
- Plan for the Low
Save money during your abundant seasons. Create flexible schedules when you feel strong. Store up your harvest like Joseph.
- Rest Without Guilt
If you’re tired, stop trying to perform. Rhythm is not about doing—it’s about being in tune.
- Lean on Your Faith
When things are quiet, trust that The Divine Spirit is still moving. Remember, even Jesus had a tomb season before the resurrection. That silence is sacred.
- Practice Gratitude
Whether you’re on the mountain or in the valley, give thanks. Gratitude keeps your heart open to flow.
- Trust the Return
Always. Rhythm promises that what’s gone will come again—better, wiser, deeper.
My Own Rhythm Awakening
When I walked away from my cybersecurity career, I didn’t just leave a job. I surrendered to the rhythm. I was in a downswing—burnt out, empty, and disconnected from my truth. But something in me knew that the pendulum would swing again.
So I didn’t rush. I rested. I wrote. I realigned. And little by little, my energy returned. My creativity bloomed. My purpose reignited.
That was rhythm. That was divine timing. That was my soul remembering the cycle.
And now, I ride the swing—intentionally. Gracefully. Gratefully.
Final Word: Trust the Flow, Protect Your Peace
You don’t have to fear the low seasons. You don’t have to over-celebrate the highs.
Just trust the rhythm.
Let life swing. Let emotions come and go. Let faith rise even in the stillness.
You’re not stuck—you’re in motion. You’re not lost—you’re in rhythm. And you’re not broken—you’re simply becoming.
Remember: the stretch is sacred. It’s shaping you, not breaking you. It’s setting you up for the next rise.
Take a breath. Take your time.
And when it gets hard, whisper to yourself:
This too shall pass.
Because everything flows.
Everything rises.
Everything returns.
P.S.—If this message spoke to you, and you’re ready to deepen your roots during life’s seasons, my book Rooted in Self-Worth offers the kind of grounding and soul nourishment we all need on this journey. You can find it on Etsy—available to download, print, or hold close in paperback form. It’s a companion for every part of your rhythm.
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