I took this photo in Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge last Saturday.  I loved the way the vine wrapped itself around the tree.  As the vine grew constantly upward toward the sun it encircled the tree and all the time changing its shape to match that of the tree.  As it grew and got stronger it slowly began not only to change its shape but that of the tree as well.  Now it is difficult to tell which is more crooked, the tree or the vine, because they are so perfectly entwined.  It is so odd to see a fragile vine overpower and change the shape of a strong tree.

                Flexibility may be one of the greatest abilities; the ability to easily bend and adapt to different circumstances is very important.  In fitness, health and sports, flexibility is the ability of your muscles, tendons and ligaments to stretch which allows your joints to have a larger range of movement.  This is important and allows us to avoid injuries and enjoy everything more.  Flexibility in life is to be able to adjust readily to different conditions; to be capable of being bent or flexed or twisted without breaking.

                So, how flexible are you?  Do you have the ability of being bent or flexed or twisted without breaking?  What do you do when your cherished plans are crushed?  How do we cope when “bad” things happen?  You lose your job, your friends walk away or you find yourself standing in the cemetery; do we break or bend?  Do we adapt and change or fall to pieces?  Life is going to throw us curves, we are going to face things that were not listed in the brochure, but the good news is we were created to be flexible, pliable and change is one of life’s great blessings.    

       
                We can allow the unforeseen and unexpected changes that come into our lives to be stretching exercises; allowing us to become stronger and more flexible or we can allow them to stunt our growth.  We can use these difficulties to increase our range of motion and lead us into places we never dreamed of without them.  Remember, change is inevitable but progress is optional; we choose to either bend and grow stronger or resist and allow the trouble to break us.  The choice is up to us.  We cannot choose our circumstances, but we do choose our response.  Choose to be flexible.

Something to think about:

• The bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you refuse to take the turn.

• The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.

• Only when you can be extremely pliable and soft can you be extremely hard and strong.

• The best exercise for the heart is to bend down several times during the day to help someone.

• A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.

• Whatever impedes a man and doesn’t stop him is progress.

• Inflexibility restrains creativity, thus blocking progress. Threatened by risk and the possibility of failure, it clips the future’s wings—then later criticizes it for not flying.

• We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.

• The most effective way to cope with change is to help create it.

• Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.

Your flexible friend
Rickey Moore