A Waffling We Shall Go

"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."  ~Victor Frankl

Today, March 25, 2014, for whatever reason is Waffle Day.  While the word waffle conjures a delightful treat topped with a variety of sweet temptations, it has also come to a have a somewhat derogatory bent in reference to changing one's mind on a situation. I am not so sure that changing one's mind is such a sign of weakness.  Perhaps, the change of mind is the result of finally paying attention to the bombardment of lemons and opening yourself to a new idea, a new opportunity, a new perspective or new information that sheds a different understanding on the situation. That takes strength.

While it is vital to have core values, there is also value in being open minded enough to understand that in today's complex world, it is impossible to know or understand all of the nuances of every situation.  To me, wisdom stems from knowing what you stand for and being able to adapt that to fit the situation.  To rigidly adhere to a position that is not defensible in light of changing information is sheer folly and doomed to total failure.  Life hands us opportunities (lemons) to constantly move us beyond our understandings of yesterday.  Each time we open ourselves to these new understandings and move beyond our entrenched positionalities, we refine even further our core values and define anew who we are.

Decisions and choices need to be made all the time.  To be decisive is a hallmark of leadership.  It is important to be able in the moment to synthesize all of the available information and to act using one's best judgement in that moment.  It is also important not to become so attached and defensive about that decision if time shows it to not be optimal.  Life is a dance.  Dance needs flow and movement - freedom.  What worked in yesterday's choreography may not be what today's needs.  Don't take yourself so seriously that you are unable to adapt and flow with what today's tune is.  

There is a difference between being wishy-washy and flexible.  Wishy-washy stands for nothing.  It comes from fear and avoidance of making a decision because you are afraid you might be wrong. So what?  If you have acted from your best intention and find out it is a misstep, shrug it off, chalk it up to learning and get back out on the dance floor.  That takes confidence and that is where flexible comes from, knowing what you stand for and being willing to stick your neck out for it.  If you are proven wrong, you have enough confidence to have the grace to admit it and step right back into the flow and dance on.    

So today, of all days, allow yourself the freedom to waffle.  Go have fun and quit taking yourself and the world so seriously.  Give us all a break and enjoy some of these scrumptious waffles in the process.  

waffle recipes  

Check out what research on the ability to change your mind has to say.














































































  

changing one's mind