One of my favorite passages from the Tao Te Ching is the one discussing flexibility:
When alive, the body is supple, yielding.
In death, the body becomes hard, unyielding.
Living plants are flexible,
In death, they become dry and brittle.
Therefore, stubborn people are disciples of death, but
Flexible people are disciples of life.
I think this passage applies to many areas of our lives, including maintaining our health (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health). Here are some examples:
- Your doctor tells you that you need to quit smoking, start an exercise regimen, or change your eating habits. Are you flexible enough to change?
- Your efforts to reach a goal (e.g., losing weight, publishing a book, or making a profit with a new business) have been unsuccessful. Are you flexible enough to try a different strategy without sinking into despair or turning to unhealthy coping strategies?
- Something was said or done in the past that upset or offended you. Are you flexible enough to completely let it go today? (Pent-up anger increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.)
- You made a mistake. Are you flexible enough to quickly drop any guilt or regret about it and simply make amends to the best of your ability?
- You and your partner have a disagreement. Are you flexible enough to see the other point of view, maintaining the health of your relationship?
We are continually challenged to respond to situations with either flexibility or rigidity. The Tao Te Ching encourages us to be healthy disciples of life – be flexible!
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Smart Ways to Find the Correct Bra Fit
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How to Measure the Correct Bra Size and Cup Size
http://liujiaoourhealth.blogspot.com/2009/07/smar…
dearest deb,
wonderful post. all the points of the post are very logical, we all can do a little soul searching based on them, and if we fail in one or more we may rethink about our stance.
intelligent people are never rigid.. they constantly soul search and change. the more we live the more we grow.. that means we are always changing when we are living.
Wish you love, peace and happiness.
Trisha
Dear Deb, the Tao Te Ching is one of my most cherished books. (I just gave a copy to one of my sisters for her birthday). I have read and re-read it many time–the translation by Stephen Mitchell being my favorite. I know that quote very well and I couldn't agree with you more about being flexible in all aspects of our lives. It sure makes for a much more relaxed way to live–and relaxed can translate to happier and healthier.
I keep thinking that you and I sure could have some great conversations with our many commonalities.
Love you,
Gayle
i am recently figuring out that my "work" on this planet is to become trusting.. part of the flexiblity and relaxed way of living you all talk about above is coming from a trusting place.. do you have any pointers on how to do this?? (become more trusting, have faith)…
Tiffany, I can't seem to send you through a message through Intent (it's only giving me the option to "blocK" messages from you instead of send you one.) Please feel free to send me an email at DebExaminer@yahoo.com and I'll write you back.
Peace and love,
Deb
Thank you dearest Trisha and Gayle!
Tiffany, I think you're asking a very important question, and I'm going to send you a direct message. Thanks for asking this!
Peace and love,
Deb
What an amazing principle. Thank you for this reminder!
Dear Xiaotong, I suppose wearing a proper fitting bra could help in your comfort and thus support the flexibility of being comfortable in your own skin…? I think I see your point!
Love,
Gayle