A Courageous Life of Flexibility: The Power of Being Bent and Not Broken

Ah, the joys of being bent! One of my favourite sayings is, "The great thing about being gay is that I'm built to bend, not break!"

We know that as a society, we celebrate and prize conformity and straight lines; however, those of us who have mastered the art of bending possess a unique advantage. It's like having a superpower that allows us to navigate life's twists and turns with finesse and, often, a touch of humour.

Let's debunk a few of the myths first. Some may say being bent means being weak or less capable, but au contraire! We're not fragile porcelain dolls; we're more like resilient rubber toys (yes, I said rubber toys!) bendy, adaptable, and always ready to bounce back from whatever life throws our way.

So, why, dear reader, is being bent such a fabulous thing? Allow me to illuminate you with some rainbow words of wit, wisdom, and a sprinkle of eccentricity. Buckle up (or bend in), and let's dive into the delightful advantages of embracing life with a flexible mindset.

1. Resilience, baby!

Imagine life as a chaotic game of Twister—you never know which limb will end up where, but you're always up for the challenge. Being bent means you've mastered the art of resilience. You can bend with the wind instead of trying to stand stiffly against it and ending up toppled over like a poorly stacked Jenga tower.

Resilience isn't just about surviving; it's about thriving despite the odds. When life throws a curveball at us, the bent ones among us can twist and turn, finding creative solutions and opportunities where others see obstacles. We're like the yoga masters of life—flexible in mind, body, and spirit. We may not always know what direction we're headed in, but we can adapt and adjust with grace and strength. Twister teaches us that sometimes being flexible is the key to staying grounded in the midst of chaos.

2. Adaptability: The Name of the Game

'What's the name of the game?' Singing loudly in my best ABBA voice. While others are stuck in their ways like stubborn mules, we bendy folks are the chameleons of the human race. Adaptability is our middle name (well, metaphorically speaking, of course). Whether it's a sudden change in plans, a new challenge at work, or a global pandemic shaking things up, we're ready to adjust our sails and navigate the stormy seas of change.

Think of us as the Madonna of everyday life. Need a makeshift solution to a problem? Call in the bent brigade! We'll whip out a paperclip, a piece of string, and some feathers and fashion something ingenious out of thin air. Adaptability isn't just a skill; it's a lifestyle, and we've got it down to an art form.

3. Creative Juices Flowing

Speaking of art forms, being bent is like having a direct line to the Force of Creativity. When you're not confined to straight-laced thinking, your mind can wander down paths less travelled, uncovering hidden treasures of innovation and ingenuity.

Creativity thrives in flexible minds. We're the ones who see a pile of mismatched socks and envision a quirky sock puppet theatre. We're the ones who turn a rainy day into an impromptu indoor picnic complete with a blanket fort and fairy lights. Life is our canvas, and we're not afraid to splash it with bold, vibrant rainbow colours.

4. Bending, not breaking

Remember that old saying, "The stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind"? Well, consider us the willows of the human forest. While others may snap under pressure, we bend gracefully, adapting to the ebb and flow of life's currents.

It's not about avoiding challenges; it's about facing them head-on with a flexible mindset. Bending means we can absorb the blows without letting them break us. We're like elastic bands—stretched thin at times but always bouncing back stronger than before.

5. Embracing Imperfection

Let's talk about perfection—or rather, the delightful lack thereof. Being bent teaches us to embrace imperfection with open arms and a mischievous grin. Life is messy, unpredictable, and wonderfully flawed, just like a Jackson Pollock painting or a lopsided birthday cake baked with love.

Instead of striving for flawlessness, we celebrate the quirks and idiosyncrasies that make us who we are. Bent people know that perfection is overrated; it's the imperfections that add spice to the soup of life. We are the ones who dance in the rain instead of waiting for the storm to pass, because why not?

6. The Power of Perspective

Ever notice how things look different depending on how you hold them up to the light? Being bent gives us a unique, multi faceted perspective on life. We see challenges as opportunities, detours as scenic routes, and setbacks as plot twists in our epic adventure.

Perspective is everything. While some may see a closed door, we see a window of opportunity waiting to be opened. It's all about flipping the script and seeing the silver lining in every cloud. Bendy minds are open minds, ready to explore new horizons and embrace the unexpected with open arms.

7. Laughter, the Best Medicine

Life's too short to take it seriously all the time. Being bent means we've mastered the art of finding humour in even the most awkward or challenging situations. Laughter is our secret weapon against stress, boredom, and the occasional bout of existential dread.

We're the ones who crack jokes during a power outage, turn a traffic jam into a spontaneous karaoke session, and find joy in the simple pleasures of life—a perfectly brewed cup of tea, a purring pussy curled up in our lap, or a good book that takes us on a wild ride.

8. Building Bridges, Not Walls

In a world that sometimes feels divided, being bent is like building bridges between people and ideas. We're the diplomats of empathy and understanding, able to see things from multiple perspectives and find common ground where others see only differences.

Empathy is our superpower. We listen more than we speak, we seek to understand before we're understood, and we believe in the power of kindness as a universal language. By bending our hearts towards others, we create connections that transcend barriers and unite us in our shared humanity. Our ability to empathise with others allows us to break down walls of misunderstanding and build bridges of connection. Through our actions, we can inspire others to do the same and create a more inclusive and compassionate world for all.

9. A Journey, Not a Destination

Life is a winding road with no GPS, and being bent means we're in it for the journey, not just the destination. We cherish the detours, the scenic overlooks, and the unexpected pit stops that make life an adventure worth savouring.

There's beauty in the meandering path—the friendships forged along the way, the lessons learned from wrong turns, and the breathtaking vistas that take our breath away. We're not in a race to the finish line; we're dancing through the maze of life, delighting in every twist and turn.

10. Leading by Example

Last but not least, being bent allows us to lead by example. We inspire others to embrace their own uniqueness, to laugh at life's absurdities, and to bend instead of break when faced with adversity. Our resilience becomes a beacon of hope in a world that sometimes feels overwhelmed by rigidity and conformity.

By living authentically and embracing our bendy nature, we show others that it's okay to be different, to think outside the box, and to find strength in flexibility. We're the trailblazers, the pioneers of possibility, and the champions of resilience in a world that desperately needs a little more bend and a lot less break.

So, there you have it. Let's raise a toast to resilience, adaptability, and the sheer joy of embracing life's twists and turns with a smile on our faces and a bend in our step. Here's to being bent, not broken—because life's too short to be anything but delightfully flexible.

If you or someone you know is ‘Bent’ and need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out and book a Complimentary Consultation today. Shaun provides a beautiful safe space of Rainbow Counselling and will call you back at a time convenient for you.


Shaun Williams

Shaun Williams is a licenced ACA counsellor dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community and the founder of Bent Couch Counselling. With over 20 years in healthcare, Shaun specialises in LGBTIQA+ mental health, relationship, and personal issues.

His work extends to group facilitation, creating supportive spaces for men and leading 'Gay Fathers Worldwide'. Active in LGBTQIA+ advisory roles, Shaun's unique life experiences enrich his empathetic counselling approach.

Connect with Shaun for a free 15-minute discovery call to explore your path to wellbeing.

https://www.bentcouch.com.au
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Embracing My True Self: A Pride Month reflection on Coming Out later in life