We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. – Bertha Calloway also attributed to Dolly Parton
What does that mean?
To me, it speaks of the forces of nature which we are unable to control. We can’t do anything about the wind, or lack thereof. All we can do is adapt to it. With the wind, we can adjust the sails or adjust our approach (tacking instead of sailing on a run) but we cannot change the wind.
Why is adaptation important?
Adaptation is a powerful word. Darwin used it and it changed the face of science. Adaptation is, by his theory, the way that life progressed. Regardless of how you feel about Darwinism and how the Evolution of Species might explain life as we know it, adaptation at the personal level is required to survive, much less thrive.
Adaptation is how we move forward. We adapt to the changes in our world, first by learning how to move our limbs and progressing to the crawl, walk, run sequence. We adapt by learning better methods of communication by moving from crying to pointing to speaking.
For those old enough, you adapted from quill pen to fountain pen to ball point pen, or from handwriting to typewriters to computers. Communication as an adult has gone from land-lines to cell phones. Even my mom has a cell phone now.
There is usually some concern, some trepidation in adapting. New devices, new procedures, new methods, all these require change, and some people have problems with change. Change can be scary, it’s often a step into the unknown, leaving the familiar behind. But change is inevitable (except from a vending machine). 8)
Where can I apply this in my life?
To live is to adapt, so you already do it. The question is how comfortable are you with adapting? Are you an early adopter, one who embraces change, in some field (perhaps in technology)? Do you adapt easily to new computers, operating systems, programming languages or phones? Perhaps you do better with the adapting to the changes in fashion, new types of accessories, colors, styles and the like?
I am very good at adapting to technology, but hopeless with fashion. To me, fashion is a bit of a side show, something to observe, but not really embrace. I guess I’m a fashion agnostic. I have learned to adapt to many things, including being married and fatherhood. I have been thinking for a while now, and can’t come up with anything that I either don’t care about or to which I am willing to adapt.
How can you adapt to new things? I have done it by controlling my fear and eliminating (as much as possible) any ignorance I might have relating to the topic. Write down a few areas where you are reluctant to adapt. What kind of change scares you or limits your actions? Perhaps it is fear of commitment or a fear of technology? What is the basis of the fear? Are you fearful because you have no experience or familiarity with the subject?
For any fear based on ignorance, lack of familiarity or inexperience, I would do research. Find books, videos, useful posts on the internet and absorb them. Don’t just read them, put yourself inside the story and learn from their experiences. Also, find a mentor, someone who has walked that path before. Ask questions, and try to learn all you can.
For a fear that is based on a phobia or some irrational fear, that is going to be tougher. Your first step will be to address the phobia, and that is it’s own problem. Once the underlying fear is addressed, you can move forward with logic, like the paragraph above. Sorry I wasn’t more help with a phobia. That’s not my subject of expertise.
For a fear that isn’t crippling (like a true phobia would be), it’s time to give some thought to your situation. Ben Franklin used to make a list of all the benefits of doing something and a list of all the detriments of doing it, then weigh the two columns against each other. Again, if you aren’t certain what to put in the column, or are putting down things that are unknowns, do your research.
Eventually, it comes down to a gut-check. Are you willing to take the risks, are you willing to accept the consequences if you fail (or if you succeed)? For me, I was terrified of becoming a father. Eventually I realized that I would never be as ready as I wanted to be. I simply moved forward and adapted to all the changes that came.
As you learn to sail more effectively, you can make better decisions. You will learn how to handle a headwind and how to set your sails in any circumstances, including when to reef them.
You are the captain of your ship, and you will chart your own course. You will also have to deal with the wind, sometimes favorable, sometimes adverse and sometimes absent. You will have to deal with the storms that are part of life. Experience and adaptation will move you forward and help to keep you safe.
From: Twitter, @motivation
confirmed at : http://www.quotes.net/authors/Bertha+Calloway
Photo by Donnaphoto
