Wen Tzu - Verse 6, Part I

from Verse Six

Those who serve life adapt to changes as they act. Changes arise with the times; those who know the times do not behave in fixed ways. Therefore I say, "Ways can be guides, but not fixed paths; names can be designated, but not fixed labels."

~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~

That's the way it's always been done! How many times have you heard this said or you've said it yourself? As a person with Asperger's Syndrome, a derivation of that phrase is frequently on my lips. When I find something that works as intended, I tend to stick with it because I hate surprises!!

Unfortunately, the problem we each run into is that, just because a method or way of thinking has worked in the past, it doesn't mean that it will work now. In fact, a method or way of thinking may have worked every single time it has been employed, but, for reasons we can't explain, it doesn't do the trick this time.

One of the reasons that proven formulas don't always work the way we think they should is because life is ever changing. While we may view a particular situation or circumstance as being exactly the same as before, so often there are tiny imperceptible differences that we either can't or don't account for.

This is why experience should only be a guide. If we address life with rigid precepts, then we lack the capability to bend with shifting variables. If life changes and we do not, guess who wins?

This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.