Being flexible….

“I am a man of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times.”

Everett Dirkson

This week’s topic is flexibility and for those of you that know me well, this is not physical flexibility!

I am talking about flexibility in our thoughts and thinking patterns.  The ability to respond well to changes that are happening in our lives.  The flexibility to know that patterns may need to be changed and not being totally against a new idea.

There are many tests available to check your flexibility and I remember one taken many years ago in which I rated very highly with my flexibility when compared to the population.  For fun, I just took one today and once again, I ranked high in this.

So, what helps with a flexible mind?  For me, it is not being too caught up in the “right” way of doing things or having strong opinions that can’t be changed when the evidence supports this.  Being flexible in your approach to life and how others live their life.

Being flexible in thoughts doesn’t mean that I am flexible in my values, it is about being open to new ideas that are presented by others or read about.  The ability to change my views as new information is provided to me and I then sort through and decide if this is worth considering and adapting to this new information.  It still needs to sit comfortably with you. 

Flexibility is also a way of acknowledging others’ views as valid, even if you don’t agree with them.  It is being open to others’ opinions and thoughts – validating what is right for them without having to get into an argument.  I imagine that this may be difficult for those who hold strong and very rigid views and can cause a lot of personal angst that is hard to let go of.  I have seen many people in my life who hold onto grudges for a very long time over personal differences and it doesn’t do anyone any favours.  I think that life is much too short to hold onto this.  And at the end of the day – I can only control me, not others.