Flexibility...never bends you too far out of shape

One of my favorite Cartoon characters growing up was Gumby....
I loved that he could twist and be twisted into different shape but always returned to his natural state...it somehow taught me to be flexible in my approach to others...especially because of all the differences that exist between people..
And I think this is particularly true when it comes to relationships.....and while many people look for commonalities....they aren’t always the measure of what will make a relationship work.......
Some people say that you have to be on the same page....

I don’t think that 2 people will ever be entirely on the “same page”....that’s impossible... all relationships are extremely challenging because of this fact.

So what it tells me.....is that it’s crucially important to be more accepting of our differences ....than always focusing on our commonalities ...that’s the easy part...for example....

How hard is it..... when u both like watching the Dolphins... on Sunday?

Not very...in my opinion......but after the final whistle blows....we have to be much more flexible in areas of disagreement and core philosophies...which reflect deep tendencies and beliefs...which are so different in all of us..

If we are noticing....Our life continuously reveals the beliefs.... we have come to believe about ourselves... which may not really be us...but only reflect.....what we have come to believe reflects us at a moment in time..

It can be startling when all of a sudden we may not think a particular way any more... and a new self has emerged...that may not sit well with our “companion, spouse, partner, lover, friend, girlfriend, boyfriend..etc........and causes conflict in the core relationship...
Sometimes we can’t control the pace and timing or these internal revelations....large, medium or small....
How about the immediate reactions we feel...which cuts a new relationship short....Haven’t we all had 5 minute dates? Or not even returned an initial email from someone who shows interest in us.. online.?

So at the heart of it...it takes a lot of bending and being flexible to these.... sometimes small ...and sometimes large.... shifts in thinking, which can deeply disturb the root structure which has kept the relationship going.

And not underestimate the value of flexibility.... and not being afraid of changing yourself too... as we recognize it in ourselves.....and feeling safe in expressing it and speaking honestly to each other.... ALWAYS....regardless of the consequences...

Some people hit this wall early and for some... it hits late....it’s inevitable......

People say you have to be strong...... I see it a little differently....
Perhaps we have to be a little less strong and very flexible Just like GUMBY ...and become much more flexible as time goes by...or we are just headed into a wall... in all our relationships....rayray