Strength and flexibility are a wonderful thing to observe in the body. But they’re even more remarkable qualities to observe in the mind.
In the mind, strength without flexibility results in rigidity. Flexibility without strength results in spinelessness and people-pleasing.
Strength is an integral part of self-confidence. Despite the competing voices around us telling us what we should do and what we should think, it allows us to be guided by our own internal compass. Mental fortitude gifts us the conviction to follow our own path, regardless of what others might say or think.
Flexibility allows us to accept the natural oscillations of human emotions, not with a detached sense of stoicism but while fully connected to our heart and with a complete acceptance of the emotion. There’s much to be learned and gained from just sitting with sadness (not indulging, sitting), holding hands with grief or from buzzing with joy. These are all elements of the human condition and in being able to just sit with an emotion without trying to wish it away comes strength.
Flexibility is knowing when to compromise.
Strength is knowing when to stand your ground.
Flexibility is knowing when to let something go.
Strength is knowing when to address an issue and when to take steps to ensure that our boundaries are not transgressed in the same way again.
Flexibility is knowing that everything can’t be done on our terms.
Strength is having confidence in our ideas and knowing when to be assertive.
Strength and flexibility are two sides of the same coin.
With love to you today xx