Yesterday I learned 3 important lessons: patience is overrated, spontaneity can be dangerous, and flexibility is the key to happiness. Of course there is some humour and “tongue in cheekiness” in this remark, but also some truth.

While I have been striving to be more patient all my life, I find that being practical, assertive, and motivated are also important essentials if you want to accomplish anything in this life. Sometimes people replace patience with procrastination, which sadly leads to stagnation.  So while you’re waiting for the universe to fulfill all your dreams and wishes for you, you might as well get in there and help the universe along by actually taking an active role in bringing your goals to fruition. Time is precious so don’t waste it waiting for something to happen when you can make it happen for yourself. Of course, it is important to still be patient and open, (you can’t always rush something into happening just because you want it now), but don’t let this be your fallback plan or excuse.

I’m all for being spontaneous and most of my friends consider me the adventurous one, but sometimes spontaneity leads to disappointment. Leaping without thinking, changing your mind incessantly to keep yourself and others on their toes, and forgoing planning can be a recipe for disaster. If something is important to you, set things in place, make your mark, plan, but be open to a new idea or a new adventure when it comes up. Let spontaneity strike you as an exciting surprise when you are in alignment with your life’s path, rather than expecting moments to just appear out of nowhere only to slap you in the face with reality.

Now, it may seem that there is some contradiction in what is mentioned above so I take you to lesson number 3 – flexibility is key. I like to attribute flexibility to a more balanced life, for if you can’t be flexible, compromising or adaptable, how will you ever hope to achieve any balance in your life? Flexibility allows us to be less rigid, more open, and more active so that we can retain the elements of patience and spontaneity in a healthy and constructive way.

So be like Gumby my friends; be flexible and be happy!