“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.
Posted by Norm Werner 
means, or at least have something or someone come to mind when the term is used. Chameleons have the amazing ability to change their skin coloring as they need to in order to blend in with their surroundings. For them it is a defense mechanism. Perhaps that is also true for those who we know who seem to change with each situation that they encounter. They have what might be called situational ethics and go with the crowd in any situation in hopes of blending in.
that person to remain alienated and apart from the crowd. They often have deep insecurities that feed on the rejection and loneliness that their action precipitates. Their real fear may be of being accepted and being expected to act like one of the crowd that they are avoiding. Their defense becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy, since they are rejected and left alone.
a key to establishing our own identity and finding true happiness. Interestingly even those who pursue the contrarian “Goth” lifestyle trend to congregate with others of that lifestyle, those creating a “crowd” of their own that they then try to fit in with. Eventually they come to realize that serving others is much more rewarding than being self-serving. Those who don’t come to that realization become what we call “hermits” and live apart from society.
we are at any point in time; however, to become inflexible about the future direction based solely on the past is wrong. Things change, new options that didn’t exist in the past open up and we hopefully learn from the mistakes of the past and consider new approaches to things. We remain flexible and don’t get bent out of shape by suggestions for change.
compass is based upon common sense that is rooted in religious beliefs and values. If you can start with a strong sense of right and wrong in your life, based upon the teachings in the Bible, the rest of the decisions that you have to make are much easier.
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