When you hear the phrase, “Go with the flow”, what comes to mind? When I was in my 20s, that was a common expression. I used to think it was sage advice. Don’t fight it, relax and go with it. You’ll only become stressed and raise your blood pressure unnecessarily if you try to swim upstream. EST had a saying, “It’s best to ride a horse in the direction that it’s going.”
Have I become a rebel in my old age? Perhaps. Think of some of the biggest achievements in history, (e.g. abolishment of slavery) or the battles that were won (e.g. Revolutionary War). Had those individuals chosen to “go with the flow”, then their achievements would be non-existent and many battles would not have been fought. The status quo would have prevailed. Is that a good thing? In the case of our greatest achievements, the answer is a resounding “No!”
In my current stage of life I am inclined not to “go with the flow”. The idea of it sounds like giving in to me, the equivalent of “don’t make waves”. Should we go along with the majority position even when we disagree? What if the majority’s values are radically different from ours?
I’m not really much of a rebel. Under certain circumstances I might even choose to go with the flow, but certainly not in all cases, probably not most. I’m more inclined to stop, check in with my thoughts and beliefs and then move in my own direction, if they were not aligned with the “flow.”
Where did the expression come from? It was first known to be used by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius who wrote “most things flow naturally” and in his opinion it was better to “go with the flow” than to try and change society. That would definitely be advantageous for an emperor, right? No subversion, no mutiny, no government overthrow?
Definitions:
To not have a particularly strong opinion on something and thus follow the majority.
Do what other people are doing or agree with the opinion of others.
Where do you stand on the “go with the flow” issue? I cheer for those who stand up to the majority when in their mind wrongs are being perpetrated. (Remember Hitler?)
If you are with a group of friends wondering where to go to lunch and everyone chooses Carl’s Jr. and you would prefer Marie Callendar’s, I think going with the flow would make sense and prevent you from appearing contrary or selfish. But what if the crowd is suggesting something completely abhorrent to your moral sensibilities? The answer is obvious, isn’t it?
Whether you go with the flow or march to the beat of your own drum, do it with integrity and conviction. Evaluate the situation and then commit. There is nothing wrong with going with the flow if the flow is going where you want to be! :))