Will You Bend or Break?

There are two types of people in the world. We all fall into these two categories. There are no if’s, ands or buts. You can switch between the two camps depending on situations.

A few years ago at work this analogy came to mind. There are people who are bendable, flexible, willing to change, willing to try. Then there are those that won’t. Those people hold firm to their notions, ideas, beliefs and dig their feet and roots into the ground.

But sadly, those that dig deeper usually break harder and louder.

I’m not against people having a belief. I have beliefs that I hold dear to my heart that would take a lot for me to change. But most of the time I am flexible.

I deal with many clients who never want to change how they have been doing things. They are content with doing their books unproductively because that is how they always did it and it was good enough. So I continue to do it the way they want it to keep them happy. I bend to their way to keep the peace. I may try and steer them in a new direction, but if they say no…I stop.

Then there are situations when I have seen people so firm in their ideas break when things don’t go their way. We see this in politicians (both parties), Hollywood, pro athletes (how many times I have heard about a meltdown in an airport?). Sadly, they are also in our families.

We all know those people who will argue with you no matter the issue. All families have them.

But looking through my life, I see people who bend are more positive thinking people. They don’t see the bending as a weakness but they turn it into something positive. People who bend can make lemonade while the people who break will only throw the lemons with their tantrums.

I can think of many people in my past that have exuded the bendable heart. They bend to help people back up. They bend to encourage the distraught. They bend in their service. They bend when other people won’t. People may think them a wet noodle, but they have a quiet strength.

Someone once called me meek in a college Bible study and they quickly rephrased and said, “Meekness isn’t a bad thing even though it sounds bad. You are quiet and often overlooked, but when you speak…everyone listens.”

I try not to speak to much on topics, but in a world when everyone is talking just to talk, we need to look for those meek voices that are hidden in the crowds.

So look wisely with a keen ear. They are out there.

You cannot always compromise or meet in the middle, but it is a little easier dealing in those uncomfortable situations if you have a history of listening, trying, bending. If the opposition knows you’ll listen and try, they may also be willing to listen to your point of view.

Everyone has a point of view. Mine isn’t always right just as yours isn’t always right.

But if we are flexible we can possibly learn where we are wrong and change (bend) without breaking down.

But if we always assume we are right with no space for any movement or sway, a break will eventually happen. If you don’t believe me look at a tree during a storm. Trees with limbs that are hard and firm will break in a wind storm much faster than a willow tree. A willow tree has roots that dig into the soil, but their limbs are more flexible. Yes, willow trees will still have some damage in a wind storm, but it’s usually not as visible as an oak.

May we all learn to be a little more flexible with one another. God shows grace to each one of us…isn’t it time to show it to one another?

Peace

__ATA.cmd.push(function() { __ATA.initDynamicSlot({ id: 'atatags-26942-613d8fcd994da', location: 120, formFactor: '001', label: { text: 'Advertisements', }, creative: { reportAd: { text: 'Report this ad', }, privacySettings: { text: 'Privacy', onClick: function() { window.__tcfapi && window.__tcfapi( 'showUi' ); }, } } }); });