Resilience and strength come to mind when I think of this quote. Being resilient allows a person or something to recover easily from difficult situations or conditions. Many may experience great tragedies in their lives, which will seem almost impossible to recover from. But it is the ability to bounce back, and by figuring out how to return to normal that enhances strength within a person.

Remembering the story of the palm trees and their willpower to endure certain storms, is a perfect example of this message. These trees are very flexible which gives them the ability to bend really low in the midst of stormy winds. This allows the winds to pass over them rather than breaking them.

On the other hand, other trees that stand tall and grand may not survive this. By staying upright, they have no choice but to tussle with the wind until they lose strength and give in. They are not adjusting to the disaster that’s taking place, and as such, the strong force of the wind may very well break them.

True strength comes into play not by just fighting adversities, but by adjusting your approach (bending) to weather the effects it brings rather than giving up (breaking).

In the case of association with those around you, you can look at it this way. Consider others’ opinions, ideas or criticism so that you don’t break in your relationship with others. If it makes true sense, bend a little to foster communication and understanding. Being stubborn and stuck in old ways to the point that you aren’t able to consider a better perspective or outcome may do you more harm than good. Exercise flexibility to obtain a better result in a given situation.  In the end, you may very well preserve yourself and others.

In life, challenges will come from many directions, many of which we may not be prepared for. The point with bending is accepting that it is happening. Bend if you must by making adjustments to help, heal and overcome.