Windmills vs Walls

“When the wind changes, some people build walls and some people build windmills.”

I can’t remember where I read that, but man does it ring true right now. Both in the political climate we find ourselves in, but also from the perspective of living a purposeful, fulfilling life.

Let’s dig into that second one, lest I turn this blog into something I’m not sure I’m ready for :)

Walls, by their nature, are forced stopping points. They’re created in order to keep something out. They’re rigid and, for the most part, unmoving.

When something difficult happens in your life, i.e. ‘when the wind changes’, you can decide to erect a wall, sure. And that wall, at that moment, may block the window. But only until the wind changes again, which it always done.

Now you’ve erected a wall, and likely will find yourself needing to build another one.

Instead, you could decide to embrace the wind. You could say to yourself, ‘you know what, things are going to change again, and again, and probably again after that…and I better prepare for that change, and make it work for me the next time it happens.’

That mentality can change everything. It can help you have more positive relationships with people in your life. It can lead you to business success. It can help you solve problems not just for the short-term, but for the long-term.

When wind (a problem) comes your way, the answer might not be to find a way to stop it. Maybe this time, find a way to embrace it and make it work for you. Change what you perceive to be a problem, and flip it into an advantage.