What It Means to Go With the Flow
According to the Urban Dictionary, to go with the flow actually means to follow the majority either because you have no strong opinion on an issue or because you are afraid to take a stand. In other words, a person who goes with the flow is laidback or quite easygoing.
That may seem like a sensible approach for getting along with people. The old adage tells us that when we are in Rome, we should do as the Romans do. There is less probability of conflict if we fit in.
Peer pressure often invites us to do as the others are doing. If everyone in our little peer group decides to do a thing, we should be a part of the gang and do the thing along with our friends.
Never mind that it may conflict with the moral values we have had for many years. Being part of the group gives us companionship in the midst of doing what was not a part of our lives previously. Friendship seems to be of utmost importance at such a time of decision making. Having several friends at such a time gives us even more confidence that we are making the correct decision.
Who wants to be the oddball? The nerd or the geek doesn't often go with the flow, and they are not popular and often not much involved in the things that others are doing. They just do not fit in. Although their grades in school may be better than average, their social lives are well below average. Their ideas sometimes conflict with the more popular views.
Think of people who did not go with the flow for a minute. One example who comes to mind was a college dropout named Bill Gates. Of course, by not going with the flow, he became rather wealthy. Let's consider someone else, someone from the ancient world. How about Moses in the Bible? He went with the flow for a while and was in line to become the ruler of Egypt. Then, he went against the flow and was exiled into the desert. Again, he later became one of the greatest patriarchs of the Old Testament. Jesus Christ definitely did not go with the flow. He died at the young age of thirty-three, a violent death. There is an example for you of someone Who did not go with the flow.
All of those mentioned who did not go along with the crowd and take a stand became giants in their own world. Maybe to not go with the flow is worthy of consideration.
As I think of flow, I think of water in a river. If the water is swiftly moving, only the dead fish go with the flow. The strongest fish, fish such as the salmon, go against the current and strive to reach higher levels. These are the kinds of fish we value so much and the kind that we respect for their determination.
Perhaps there are times when we must decide to go against the flow.
