WEEK 18: IS IT TIME TO BEND? BY JULIE BRITTAIN

Is it time to bend? We did with a blog on Thursday instead of Wednesday! Sometimes things happen and we need a little flexibility.

​I agreed to write the blog for the word “flexibility.” In doing this, I didn’t realize that for me, it was probably one of the least intriguing words we had picked for Living52. Not that I don’t like the word, I just didn’t really know what else to add since on the surface it seemed pretty self-explanatory. The word, flexibility, seemed to have one pretty basic meaning but after digging deeper the word became a little more interesting to me. The definition we posted on Sunday for flexibility was “the quality of bending without breaking.” Researching more, I found other phrases to describe flexibility which included: the ability to adapt; willingness to change; the extent a person can cope with change of circumstance, and an activity including stretching, yoga, or tai chi focusing on range of motion.
 
Hmmm… all true but I wanted a more personal thought on the word, so I asked some close friends, “What do you think of when you hear the word flexibility?” Some responses were: the opposite of control; something I’m not because I can barely touch my toes; the ability to forgive; no boundaries; and ability to be open-minded.
 
Hmmm… many of these rang true and gave me much more to think about. I love the discussion that these words bring about every week and I love hearing what other people think.
 
For me, when I hear the word flexibility I imagine a tree with its branches flowing in the wind. While the branches flow, the tree still stands firmly in the ground. Like the tree, if we are firmly grounded and rooted, we can still be flexible in certain situations as they arise such as our current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. We can control our responses - not always our circumstances. Maybe the important lesson in being flexible is that being strong and steady doesn’t mean being hard and unwavering (causing you to crack and break), but bending slightly to help those in need (which may include you too).
 
My dreams for you this week are to stay grounded like the tree, but also “go with the flow” when needed. The Serenity Prayer comes to mind:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can; and
Wisdom to know the difference.
 
May you know when flexibility is the right movement for you.

This week's blog writer is Julie Brittain, co-founder of LIVING52. Read more of Julie's story at www.living52words.com/stories. ​

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