“Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape.” (Unknown) That saying is from a post today on the Best of Jack’s Winning Words blog. Pastor Jack Freed for years posted 5 days a week on his blog, Jack’s Winning Words. When he passed away his son decided to repost some of the best posts that Jack had made over the years. I quite often found Jack’s posts to be inspirational for posts to my own blog and these reposts continue to inspire.
There is a big difference between being flexible in life and having no values of one’s own. One can still have values and principles upon which they base their life, but still be flexible enough to “roll with the punches” that life throws our way. Indeed, it is rigid inflexibility that has led to the extreme political divide that we now have in America. Neither side is willing to be flexible in their positions on key issues. Instead, they take to the barricades and hurl insults (or worse) at each other. Misinformation And disinformation become weapons of choice to confuse or misdirect those who have not yet formed an opinion.
What is abandoned in inflexibility is even the attempt to find a compromise. When almost everyone rushes to extreme positions in politics or on issues, there are few left to seek and suggest ways to compromise so that everyone feels some sense of satisfaction with the outcome. Just trying to shout louder or longer about the issue than the other side is not an answer. Nor is using some temporary legal advantage to erect legal barriers to the other side’s position.
But, politics aside, what about flexibility in our personal lives?
Being described as rigid and inflexible does not seem to be all that attractive to me. On the other hand, being described as a “yes man” is also not appealing. I think being described as “honest, willing to listen and open to new ideas” would be about the best thing that someone could say about you and that would be describing someone who is flexible.
Being flexible does not mean that you can be manipulated, although some may try. It means being able to evaluate different points of view as well as the facts in any situation and perhaps reaching a conclusion that may differ from your initial position. If you have moved off your old position, you have probably compromised and certainly have shown some flexibility.
So, don’t get bent out of shape the next time things or decisions aren’t going exactly as you had planned. Instead, be flexible. Stop and consider the alternatives that are being presented to you and the different points of view. Seek a compromise. You may be surprised that you and the other parties involved can agree upon an answer that lets everyone feel good about it. Life does not have to be a win-lose proposition; it can be win-win.
Don’t get bent out of shape. Be flexible and win.
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