The rapids are a great river, flowing endlessly. Some call it the 'mainstream,' and we all find ourselves caught up in this trend. Until I accidentally believed it was 'everything in life.'

Great trends can range from simple things like hit songs, famous movies, influencers, and celebrities, to abstract values based on systems that tell us to follow steps and pursue the same goals at the top of the pyramid. The base may be narrow, but the aspirations are wide, whether it's fame, money, success, honor, or recognition.

These streams become more visible and tangible through 'numbers' measured in likes, followers, views, and more. According to the societal framework, this is deemed 'the best.' Each one ascends to that high and narrow 'top.' Amidst the distribution of advice and equipment, the more sounds align in the same direction, the more we feel that is the only way we should head.

However, it's not that easy, as it's steep, and competitors crowd the path. Over time, from within the mainstream, we may feel like leaves flowing into a whirlpool, pounded by strong waters. In one sense, it feels like the direction isn't true, but on the other hand, it seems like we can control everything.

Hence, the time to withdraw from this cycle becomes crucial. To step back and review 'important things in life' that we should invest our energy, time, and resources into. Questions arise: Is the mainstream really the direction we want to go? Is the top of the pyramid genuinely beautiful, and is this the area we want to climb?

It's essential to give oneself free time, to answer these questions individually. Reflecting alone or with trusted friends, considering different perspectives, and escaping momentarily to read a book or gain a new way of thinking can provide clarity.

Withdrawal helps to look at oneself through the eyes of a third person, recover from numbness, and see the situation from a wider perspective. Most times, it leads to the realization that there's another direction in life, and we don't have to follow what the mainstream dictates. We can determine our path, speed, and goals, defining goodness, beauty, truth, and happiness by our own standards.

Withdrawal from the rushing current allows us to set the pace of our own lives, free from obsessive thoughts and external voices that attempt to sway us in a particular direction. It encourages us to be ourselves, be powerful, be confident, and make our own choices. This, in essence, is the meaning and importance of the moment of withdrawal and retreat from the mainstream.

In this withdrawal, we often find 'another stream,' perhaps not as significant, but a cool and independent one. This is where we want to be, where we want to go, and with the people we want to spend time. Such a life, according to our definition, is a beautiful life.

It's evident that one must stop to be heard, be quiet to be recognized, and pay attention to understand oneself again. Regular self-reflection according to one's determined frequency helps to avoid being inadvertently swept away by the river's strong current and led astray. It's a process of "relax - rest - absorb - reflect" that crystallizes into answers toward a direction that is not dependent on anyone's centrifugal force or the world's big trends.

In a world with small streams, there are many beautiful things. Not everyone needs to jump into the turbulent mainstream, for when they step away, they'll find their own current.