There’s something to be said for flexibility and I don’t mean being physically flexible. Yes, that is a good thing but that’s not what we’re talking about today. I’m talking about being flexible with life, with plans, with the ebb and flow.
It was a lesson I learned the hard way a few months ago…I was headed into the city for a show, one I had been looking forward to for quite some time actually. It’s Chicago, I knew to expect traffic but what I didn’t expect was the traffic that was waiting for me. They were filling pot holes on a Saturday night on one of the main highways into the city, taking traffic from 4 or 5 lanes down to 1 or 2. We were at a standstill at a point where I wasn’t even able to pull off at an exit and find another way. I sat.
I remember reaching out to the manager letting him know I might be late and confirming the time the artist was playing. I called friends to catch up to help the time pass (on bluetooth!). And when I still hadn’t moved and I knew the artist was about to go on, I let the manager know I wouldn’t make it and apologized profusely.
I felt awful and at first was extremely hard on myself for not making it in time. But the truth is, sometimes things happen. Sometimes plans need to change. Sometimes we need to just go with the flow and let life play out as it’s going to.
Would it have been great to make that show? Of course!
Would it have been good to check traffic earlier and see I needed to give myself more time? Well, yeah.
But at the end of the day, was it a good lesson? Yes and probably one I really needed.
I may be able to touch my toes, but I’m still learning to be flexible with my life. It’s a lesson that may take me a little longer to master but in time, I know I’ll get there too!
How are you when it comes to being flexible with life?
Have you had any tough lessons like this?
Joining Amanda for a little Thinking Out Loud today!
I used to be super rigid with my plans until I was put in a position where I literally had no control over anything and had no choice but to go with the flow. It scared the crap out of me at first and I remember hating every moment, but I slowly came around and began seeing it as an adventure and chance to experience new things instead of as a misfortune. There are still times where my control freak nature gets the better of me, but I’m definitely learning to be a lot more flexible 🙂
For us control freaks, there’s always going to be times when it gets the best of us but as long as we’re learning to be more flexible, then I think we’re in a better place. 🙂
Being Type-A (and I am like Type-AAA) makes it so hard to be flexible. I feel like a do a good job at work (because the students need me too) but I am rarely flexible with myself. It’s also why I have to learn to say no! It is a tough lesson, that I feel I am always learning!
Girl, Type-AAA…me too! 😉
I used to struggle a LOT with this. A few years ago, though, I had this epiphany where I realized I could either let something stress me out, or I could just get through it and reserve my energy. Of course, I still have the odd freak-out, but it’s made such a big difference for me!
I freaking LOVE that! And I love the way you word it as reserving your energy because it’s really SO true!
My Type A-ness definitely makes it a little more challenging to be flexible with life. It’s something I’m always working on. Thankfully my husband is a pretty chill guy and is a good balance for me. He is a constant breath of fresh air for me!
I’m a total Type-A as well so this is (and probably will always be) a constant lesson to learn and re-learn. 😉