Mental Flexibility

What are the benefits of being mentally flexible? Imagine a storm brewing. Intense winds are blowing. Stiff trees are breaking under the pressure while softer more flexible trees are bending and will rise again when the strong winds subside.

Will You Bend or Break?

Turn this image onto human beings. People who are narrow-minded, opinionated, stubborn, bullheaded, and generally inflexibile are likely to have a more difficult time navigating the world than people who take up a more flexible attitude towards life.

“Why?” you ask.

The World is Always Changing

Because the only constant in life is change. The world around us is continually changing, people are continually changing, our bodies are continually changing, and so are our minds. If we take up an attitude of rigidity, constantly opposing change, we will forever be disappointed and frustrated. From a spiritual standpoint, remaining mentally flexible is likely to bring with it peace of mind.

Strength and Durability

Flexibility is not the same as weakness. It does not mean that we should always bow or bend to external pressure, but it does leave our options open.

Sometimes the best course of action is to keep on going, stay the course, be determined and inflexible.

Other times it is good to be able to take a step back, evaluate the scene and change course. In such circumstances, flexibility is a sign of strength and durability.

At the end of the day, it is better to bend than break.

Gudjon Bergmann
Interfaith Minister, Author and Speaker
Founder of Harmony Interfaith Initiative

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Picture: Pixabay.com CC0 License

This column was curated from my book titled, Living in the Spirit of Yoga