Flexibility: Capable of bending without breaking, adaptable, willing to yield, pliable
How flexible are you physically and mentally?
Sometimes we can be too rigid, i.e., tight in our bodies, or having to be right in a conversation.
Most people who have never tried yoga tell me it’s because they’re not flexible; in fact, they say it’s downright hard to touch their toes. All the more reason to stretch consistently! It’s an excellent opportunity to create more elasticity in our bodies, so the stiffness doesn’t cause injury with other activities.
Mental hardness can cause us to be stuck in one way of thinking, unable to switch thoughts or see another side of a situation, creating control issues or stubbornness.
Becoming more adaptable means stretching without forcing past our comfort zones. Modifying means changing, which helps you become more malleable.
When things don’t go our way, can we let go of our agenda? Instead, building our faith muscles and trusting God’s goodness.
In my younger life, I was on the Gumby side of the body, in fact, too much so. It’s called hypermobility when the joints move past the normal range of motion. Too much of this flexibility can cause long term wear and tear on the cartilage. I’ve had to learn how to counter this bendiness by building more strength, which better supports my joints.
I’ve also learned that being too flexible in my thinking translated into people-pleasing, robbing me of my voice, and not speaking up for myself. It’s taken a lot of practice and training to learn who I am and whose I am. How I express myself through a lens of worth, value, and healthy boundaries makes a difference.
Where do you stand on the flexibility scale?
Did you know that Palm trees can withstand large storms because they have a more extensive network of roots, a substantial base that acts as an anchor, and a wiry trunk or spine that moves with the wind? This structure helps the tree adapt to adverse conditions.
How can we be more like a Palm Tree in our daily lives?
We can build a trusting network of support from family and friends that encourage us and hold us accountable with love.
We can be firmly rooted in the foundational truths of God’s Word so that we can walk in His confidence.
We can practice our yoga on and off the mat, becoming more flexible in our bodies and our minds.
This change can be a challenge I know, so let’s start with something small so that when the winds of life whip up all around us, we bend and don’t break.
What helps you be more flexible?
God loves you, and so do I.
XODenise