I always consider water to be the element of Taoism. Water represents flow, impermanence, and humility. You cannot step into the same river twice. Like life, the river changes constantly. From the Tao Te Ching:
The highest good is like water.
Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive.
It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
Water flows to the lowest places without judgement. It nourishes, cleanses, and purifies naturally. Water never strives, it just is. And it is always being transformed and changed by whatever it comes in contact with, yet the river continues to flow…the ocean waves continue to come ashore.
In our lives, when things are going well, there is a tendency to want everything to stay the same. Of course, this can never happen. At the same time, when things are not going as we hoped, we can always be sure that will change too.
Realize the impermanence of life and become like water by being less resistant to change. Simply go with the flow of life. And remember, everything is happening for your highest good :)
Photo source: Huka Falls by Phil Bird