Elasticity
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The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.
Albert Einstein / theoretical physicist / 1879–1955
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Patience
Having the ability to tolerate delay or hardship without getting upset is a clear sign of maturity, and this noble trait has been termed patience, the practice of which can enhance your personal power more than you might imagine. For starters, it will typically increase your awareness and give you more time to reflect. That time can be used to make better choices. It can also improve your abilities of empathy and compassion. Finally, patience naturally reduces stress, so you will often find it valuable to leverage when you feel overwhelmed. John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, once said, “Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” When you come across what appears to be an insurmountable obstacle, taking pause and remaining even-tempered can often be of great value. In the same respect, when faced with a difficult decision or uncertainty on how to proceed, patiently allowing things to unfold will often reveal an appropriate path to pursue.
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To foster this ability, you can use relaxation techniques in order to bring yourself into the moment and gain greater perspective. In today’s world, where instant gratification has become an expectation, it’s easy for the mind to develop irrationality over trivial things. Negative emotions can arise within us simply because someone is driving too slowly on the road or there are people in front of us at a checkout line. Instead of allowing the ego to erupt and poison your reality, pause for a moment, breathe deeply, adjust your posture, and relax. Try to find the humor in the situation; humor can often be found if you look carefully. If that doesn’t work, then fall back on compassionate understanding. Everything happens for a reason, so determine why things have arisen in such a manner, and consider how the situation could be improved. Alternatively, pause to reflect on your day or escape briefly on a mental hiatus to a place that brings you joy. There are always several positive ways to deal with delays or difficulties that arise, so choose one in order to contend with the situation without creating any negativity for yourself or others.
Cooperation
Working with others toward a common purpose or benefit can often take you farther than personal effort alone. Individual focus can do wonders with respect to creativity and enthusiasm, but when you need to tackle a major initiative or take an idea to another level, consider collaborating with other people. By teaming with others, you can often achieve that which is out of reach to you alone. Famed scientist Alexander Graham Bell, who is credited with inventing the telephone, said, “Great discoveries and improvements invariably involve the cooperation of many minds. I may be given credit for having blazed the trail, but when I look at the subsequent developments I feel the credit is due to others rather than to myself.” To cooperate more effectively, retain an open mind, and hone your skills of listening and communication.
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Listening. The Chinese character for listening displays the important traits of this particular skill. In order to listen effectively, one must give the speaker undivided attention, use both the eyes to observe and the ears to comprehend, and then act from the heart. With respect to attention, eye contact is helpful, assuming it expresses interest as opposed to aggression, and positive body language is also useful to convey participation and interest. Silence is often another crucial aspect of listening to fully understand the message and to exhibit respect. You can then act from the heart by leveraging your abilities of empathy, compassionate understanding, tolerance, and acceptance. Refrain from judgment, and seek understanding before striving to be understood yourself.
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Communication. The vast majority of disagreements can be resolved through open, honest communication. It can also foster learning, and if you master this skill, then it can serve as a powerful tool in getting what you want. Similar to the art of listening, empathy plays a significant role here. Maintain respect for all involved, and work to understand the other person’s position as well as how your message may be construed. It’s easier to make your point if you have a good idea of how it will be interpreted. With that said, leverage your ability to cooperate. Effective communication must be two-way, meaning that it’s important to express yourself, assuming you allow others to do the same and actively listen to what they say. In addition, if you find a win-win scenario, then you can often get what you want and enhance your relationship with others at the same time. That may take compromise at times, but if you don’t sacrifice what’s important, then that’s OK. When communicating, leverage your other abilities of elasticity, including patience and flexibility, and you will find it easier to negotiate and contend with any conflicts that arise. Finally, try to remain detached, and rise above the emotions involved. Words can be powerful and have a lasting effect, so speak deliberately and with care.
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If you transition a competitive situation into a cooperative position, then it has the potential to benefit all involved. Find win-win scenarios in both your personal relationships and your professional environment, and new opportunities will naturally arise. At times, this may require compromise, but if you have to give to gain and you don’t sacrifice what’s crucial, then it’s often worth the investment. Finally, do what’s right, even if it’s difficult. Such morality will foster peace and happiness within, and you’ll also gain the respect of others.
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Flexibility
Flexibility is synonymous with suppleness and giving. Its opposite is rigidity, which can often lead to closed-mindedness, a lack of imagination, and tension, among other things. Flexibility involves adapting to change, maintaining an open mind, and remaining relaxed. A flexible body can make you stronger and more adaptable in the physical world. In the same manner, a flexible mind-set will allow you to adapt to change and overcome adversity. The concept of flexibility is represented by the saying “Go with the flow,” meaning don’t interpret change as a threat, and don’t allow small things to bother you. Instead, interpret any adversity that might arise as a challenge to overcome, deal with negativity in a positive or constructive manner, and then move on in order to focus on what you enjoy or value. Life can be likened to a river where the current represents the progression of time. Your journey down the river is similar to life’s unfolding and the changes that naturally occur. Attempting to fight such change is like paddling upstream, but if you allow the current to carry you along, then you can spend your energy in other ways and gain control of your course.
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The old story of the bamboo reed and the oak tree demonstrates the value of flexibility at a rudimentary level. The mighty oak is strong yet relatively inflexible, which makes it susceptible to damage in a storm, whereas the bamboo reed is flexible and simply bends in the wind. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give in to others or to give up on your goals when faced with adversity. Rather, consider options and alternatives as life unfolds, and determine if change is warranted. To enhance your power of flexibility, retain an open mind, and be receptive to change. After all, change is a constant in life, and if we remain open to it and adapt accordingly, then we will find it easier to overcome challenges and spot new opportunities. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe highlighted this fact when he stated that “life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes.”
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