Being Fluid
When I think of a word that describes how I am feeling and being in the world, I sometimes check its formal definition to see if it aligns with what I am experiencing. The word fluidity has come up for me and I wanted to explore how and why that is. One definition for fluidity is ‘the ability to flow easily,’ which can give the visualization of water. This connected well to the images in Abraham Verghese’s new book, ‘The Covenant of Water’ There were many references to water as it was set along the Malabar Coast of India over the course of several decades and how the communities and families were impacted by water as well as the symbolism of water. One quote from the book resonated with me; ‘All water is connected, and her world is limitless.’ If we think about our ability to flow easily in the world, it’s when we become rigid that we can get stuck. It doesn’t mean that we can’t stand firm for what our values are or be strong against injustices, but to be fluid allows us the energy to persist and continue to commit to the visions and missions that give us energy.
Another description of fluidity focuses on smooth elegance or grace. The song by Ani DiFranco, ‘Buildings and Bridges,’ embodies this image.
‘Buildings and bridges are made to bend in the wind
To withstand the world that’s what it takes
All that steel and stone is no match for the air, my friend
What doesn’t bend breaks, what doesn’t bend breaks’
The strength of a bridge and what it has to hold must also have some ‘give’ to it. If it is made too rigidly, it will crumble. Just like water that can erode a stone over time, so can the element of wind. The subtle sway of a bridge is the flexible grace that allows it to withstand the adversity of the elements that come its way.
Fluidity is also about ‘changeability.’ Simon Sinek has a book, ‘The Infinite Game’ that talks about the need to adapt and take the long view. If we get stuck in our point of view, we lose the perspective of others and the importance of relationships to build ‘the thing’ that will last beyond our own existence. In his book Sinek says ‘It is important to celebrate our victories, but we cannot linger on them.’ Even in our victories, we should be fluid and not hold onto them. It allows us to let go and be ready for the next thing that comes our way, which may even be greater than the last; with fluidity we may become limitless.
How is your fluidity? Are you rigid? Stuck? Is there room for you to bend and sway? Are you open to opportunities that allow you to gain perspective and knowledge that may create a shift in your path? The Latin expression ‘Solivitur Ambulando’ translates to ‘It can be solved by walking;’ also known as meandering. If you can’t find your fluidity in the image of water, can you find it on land? Can you wonder and wander to explore what may be next for you? Be flexible. Be fluid. Give it a try!