Rivers always flow down, gathering water as they go. Their path can involve all directions of the compass and can be a complex and meandering. They don't always take the shortest route and their patterns are determined by weaknesses and fractures in the bedrock. When I was a young 20-something a mentor of mine spoke of an image that came to him while speaking to me. The image was a rock from which water was pouring out. I believe this image reflects my desire to see the most needy receive water in their thirst and I have hope that water will flow even in barren places. As the river flows, it connects us in our weakness and in our fractures to a place of unity and abundance.