Flexibility

"May you master the art of accepting surprises and landing gracefully." 

I've been reminded a few times in the past week that life perpetually requires you to be flexible. Does anyone feel like they were born with this trait? The ability to be knocked off course without feeling defeated or like chaos abounded? I can absolutely assure you that I was not born that way.

A few years ago I tried to internalize a "go with the flow" attitude. I distinctly remember being in my apartment in Atlanta and having the realization that life is going to happen...no matter what I try to do to control it. This is true of everything but...in that moment, I realized that the only thing I could control was my attitude. I vividly remember thinking "what happens if I get a flat tire on my way to work tomorrow? Who am I going to call?!" After feeling a little bit of anxiety realizing that my family wouldn't be able to save me from 9 hours away, I decided that I couldn't live like that and I needed to free myself of it. I have the skills to problem solve, to take care of myself, and be to resourceful. So, I renewed my subscription to AAA :)

In all seriousness though, I think being able to go with the flow and having the ability to be flexible is a key component to living in the moment. It is something that I have to remind myself of a lot. This week has been a prime example. When I'm faced with change, my immediate reaction is to be the opposite of flexible. No matter how much I try, I do not like change. Flexibility requires a shift in mindset for me, depending on the situation. Being flexible about a restaurant for dinner is a little less challenging than changes in the workplace, but both require a decision. Life will go on regardless of if we throw a tantrum about it or not. We might as well attempt to be pleasant and go with the flow. Learning to be flexible, in my opinion, sets us up for greater success and more fun along the way. I'm not discounting the setback of challenge, but in situations where flexibility is a necessity and a lifeline, a lot of fun and growth can happen in between discomfort and solution.