How flexible are you in Life?

Flexibility
@Shiva49 (26204)
Singapore
January 12, 2018 8:51am CST
As we grow older we are generally more set in our ways but I have seen the few highly flexible, adaptable, and remain a keen student all their lives. They tend to be happier. We know what works for us from past experiences and those that suit our temperament. I like to be in comfort zones but after a while I need change. I keep pondering my life vis-à-vis others and society in general. I like to air my views if I feel strongly and the feedback gives more meaning to my life. We are tossed about at times and struggle to regain equilibrium, even sanity. We have to give and take or get left behind as others go with the flow. Change is the only constant but the real challenge for people like me is I, sometimes, wonder whether the change is for our better. However, I think up to a point but soon get anxious to move on. The beauty of life is we can find comfort at various levels and it is up to us to look at positives. There is never a dull moment. I squeeze blood out of stone; engage in gallows humor to see through tough times. Are you generally flexible in your approach to life? Do you get more entrenched in your ways as you grow older? Image: Flexibility from Pixabay Free Images
11 people like this
12 responses
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
12 Jan 18
I can be extremely flexible in some things, but I stick to some strict rules that I have fixed in my life.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
12 Jan 18
@Shiva49 I have always been flexible trying to understand the needs also the others.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
12 Jan 18
@LadyDuck I agree, for better understanding I always put myself in other people's shoes. It is important to be aware of cultural sensitivities too - siva
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
12 Jan 18
Yes, we should be who we are and not a chameleon losing our identity to suit every circumstance However we have to be flexible and not be a party pooper whenever the need arises - siva
2 people like this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
12 Jan 18
I would say I just mellowed down as I got older, sort of more tolerant especially on things I can't or do not have the power to change.
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
12 Jan 18
Yes, on certain aspects we are more flexible but on others we find it tough to keep up with the times - siva
2 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
13 Jan 18
I am a senior and could call myself computer savvy. I do many things on my computer including creating videos and stuff. I wonder if this can be called being flexible. I have changed my way of life and that was possible because I am flexible.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
13 Jan 18
@Shiva49 "Survival of the fittest"
2 people like this
@Shavkat (137213)
• Philippines
12 Jan 18
At this point of my life, I was pushed to be flexible as much as possible. It is through my existence in this world that molded me for who I am right now. I might commit mistakes along the way but I took it as a learning process.
2 people like this
@Shavkat (137213)
• Philippines
14 Jan 18
@Shiva49 I don't mind if some people will misunderstand me. As long as I know that I did it right and not to hurt others.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
12 Jan 18
Life is give and take and I joke it is not one giving and another taking all the time! When I was young I had to be more flexible but once I became independent then I had to put my foot down to injustices coming my way. Better to be who I am and make it clear if I don't agree; that is my usual way. Everyone makes mistakes and one can easily be misunderstood too - siva
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
14 Jan 18
@Shavkat That is my way too to find peace of mind. I end up comforting myself - it is not my problems then, rather it is theirs! siva
@sol_cee (38223)
• Philippines
12 Jan 18
I wish I am.
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
12 Jan 18
Thanks, we all need to play our part as members of the society we coexist with - siva
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
14 Jan 18
Life has always been an adventure for me, I am a true believer of the power of positive thinking. As I age the attitude is still there but age has slowed me down but i am always looking up.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
14 Jan 18
That is the right way to go about life. Great attitude. With so many imponderables I do not take life seriously, but do what is right and travel with the lightest baggage - siva
2 people like this
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
12 Jan 18
I am flexible in some ways and set in others.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
12 Jan 18
Me too, I stick to my basic tenets of life and allow others the same courtesy. In work life I had to be more flexible - siva
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
3 Apr 18
Yes. now that I am over 60, my mind , my emotion are flexible .. my body however is different story ..
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
5 Apr 18
@Shiva49 Yes indeed .. sometimes it is frustrating that the body developed a mind of it's own ..
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
3 Apr 18
As is said, the mind is willing but the body is not! One actress was known for her sexy role in a film and people kept reminding her about it. She was asked much later again about that and she replied - I am still willing to play such roles but I wonder why I don't get any opportunity! I may feel I can still be useful in a workplace but others can find me a hindrance! siva
1 person likes this
@Madshadi (8849)
• Brussels, Belgium
13 Jan 18
For most things, I’m very flexible
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
13 Jan 18
That is the way to coexist. Accept others for who they are but make clear where we stand - siva
2 people like this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
12 Jan 18
"They tend to be happier." -- How do you know what other people feel and think? What may be fascinating for you, may be just the opposite for other people. I've noticed a tendency to generalise among myLot members no matter how old they are.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
12 Jan 18
Well, that is my observation and I agree I can be wrong. We all express our opinion here quite freely, I think, and I am no exception. We can always agree to disagree - siva
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Jan 18
It can be hard to move out of our comfort zone sometimes and sometimes we don't even know we have one until we're asked to change and suddenly we're not so happy any more.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
12 Jan 18
I had to move away from some comfort zones without proper planning. Luckily I adapted, maybe, because I had no other choice. I have found people everywhere are same eager to please and friendly. That makes it easier though one bad egg can play havoc with our peace of mind! siva
2 people like this
@innertalks (21026)
• Australia
13 Jan 18
Some people are more flexible than others!!
“Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.” Lao Tzu quotes (Chinese Taoist Philosopher, founder of Taoism, who wrote the "Tao Te Ching" (also called the "The Book of the Way"). 600 BC-531 BC) When should we be flexible, and when should we stand firm? The unendingness of our evenness allows for the starting of any firmness to be resigned to itself, and soften, and so then softness emerges as flexibleness in itself. When you retain a certain firmness, unevenly so, it brings you to an enigmatic position of being too firm, without compromise. But when you release your unending hold on this firmness, elasticity results, and then love connects more readily with others, lovingly so, not as a ruling authoritativeness. Proper firmness though is flexibleness aligned to itself with love. Love knows when to flex its muscles, and when not to do so too. I am flexible in my firmness, and firm in my flexibleness. Photo Credit: This photo is taken from the free media site: pexels.com Some people are more flexible than others!!
@innertalks (21026)
• Australia
13 Jan 18
@Shiva49 “Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world.” Lao Tzu, from the "Tao Te Ching" Thanks, siva, yes, patience is very important, and a big part of being flexible too. Flexibility, to remain true flexibility, must be simple, patient, and retain compassion in it too, I think. Flexibility also reconciles you to all things.
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
13 Jan 18
You have summed it up with firmness yet with flexibility, thanks Steve! Patience has the ability to win over any adversity and, likewise, being flexible for what matters mean winning the war losing many a battle. Yes, water finds its way around the intransigent to reach its destination. It can smash mountain into sand over time. Ultimately we require wisdom to know when to stand firm and when to let go - siva
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26204)
• Singapore
14 Jan 18
@innertalks Thanks Steve, we should be comfortable with the immense diversity around us and that requires flexibility, patience and compassion - siva
1 person likes this