When it comes to flexibility, I’ve been compared to the Tin Man on Wizard of Oz. My daughters, on the other hand, can touch their toes and contort in some pretty amazing poses. Then, there’s Everett. Let’s just say the apple didn’t fall very far from the tree.
I’m smart enough to know that if you’re not inherently flexible, you’ve got to work at it. Years ago, I went through P90X which is an in-home workout regimen that lasted 90 days. One of the days was yoga. And I hated it. But, not being one to cheat the system, I did it anyhow. Needless to say, by the time those 90 days were over, and I had stuck with the program, I was, quite possibly, a tad bit more flexible. I wasn’t going to win any awards, but I could tell my body felt better and my muscles and joints were appropriately stretched.
Since then, the combination of the program being done and life happening, I’ve let what little gains I had in that department go to the wayside. And, I’m not getting any younger. My flexibility needs to become a priority if I want my older years to be somewhat tolerable from a physical stature standpoint. So, for anyone reading, please let me know what yoga, Pilates, or stretching routine you recommend, and I’ll get started.
But all this talk about flexibility reminds me that it also extends to one’s thinking and being. As humans, it’s quite easy (and normal) to fall into patterns of behavior and models of thinking that are rigid and established. It’s more comfortable that way. Change is hard. Being flexible is not the norm.
Yet, while it might be comfortable, it might not be what and who you need to be…who you’re called to be. Examining your thinking and behavior takes quite a bit of self-awareness. And once negative patterns are identified, it takes bold decision making and ultimately committing to change when they are deemed inappropriate, unnecessary, and/or not beneficial.
Just like working on your physical flexibility, we must consider how we can exercise flexible thinking and how we can attack a Below the Line mentality and negative patterns in new and different ways.
So, in what ways have you been challenged to be flexible in your thinking? How have you overcome destructive patterns that you’ve identified? In what ways have you pulled yourself back Above the Line? We’re all in this together. We can learn from each other not only how we can be more flexible physically, but also how you’ve become more flexible in thoughts, behavior, and actions as well.
Let’s promote flexibility in body, mind and spirit today!
