Jun 11
7
Balance is bunk?!
Everything about my upbringing–being raised by a heady physician and an emotional musician; living in highly conservative neighborhoods and in yoga ashrams; being equally gifted at business strategy and heart-centered coaching; and enjoying cooking and nesting as much as traveling and speaking—points to the theme of balance.
And, when I’m out in the world and tell people I teach, write and speak about life balance for a living, the most common reaction I hear (or sense) is: balance is bunk!
I get it.
Most of us think of balance as a state of perfection or absolute equilibrium—frustratingly unattainable. And the majority of us think of balance only as it pertains to juggling work and life.
But as humans, innately, we’re always trying to come into balance. On all levels. Balance between ease and effort; thinking and feeling; being and doing; initiating and allowing; giving and receiving; moving fast and slow; and of course, between work and play.
I’ve seen it hundreds of times when I speak on “work-life balance” at corporations, in organizations or at conferences. People settle down into their chairs with pen and paper (or laptops) poised and fully expecting to take notes on the latest, greatest time management strategies.
They’re surprised when they hear me share my definition of work-life balance: having enough time, energy and resources for those things that matter most. And reflective when I challenge them to examine 1)how they manage their energy and if they’re comfortable saying “no,” 2)how present they are in their daily lives, 3)how good they are at asking for and receiving help and 4)how comfortable they are attuning and responding their physical/emotional/spiritual needs.
It always throws them for a loop when it begins to sink in that THEY are responsible for creating balance … and it comes from the inside out.
We all love a quick fix. But, downloading the newest organizational app or online course on how to “do more in less time” is not sustainable. It’s a band-aid fix.
I remember being on a yoga retreat with Shiva Rea when she shared that at any one time, there are more than 1000 systems (lymph, hormonal, etc.) within our bodies that are striving to come into balance. She says we inherently crave balance. It’s our desire to return to our natural state. (“Hatha,” the most popular form of yoga, means balancing two opposing forces. It’s no wonder yoga has become so popular over the last few years as our need for balance has escalated.)
As you move forward into Summer, a time of rejuvenation, rebirth and often a time to get away for a little fun, reflect on what area of your life or daily experience most needs balancing:
- Is it the goliath (work-life balance) that’s calling for an overhaul and re-invention?
- Maybe it’s time to change how you approach others by getting out of your head and moving into your heart as you begin balancing your thinking and feeling nature.
- Are you pushing too hard at work or in your business? Is it time to stop constantly initiating and start allowing good to flow to you?
- Are you too serious? Is it time to let your hair down and allow some silliness into your daily experience?
- Are you always volunteering, helping others and the “go to girl?” Maybe the time has come to start balancing this with receiving help and support from others.
- Is your life a blur—are you moving too fast? Would it serve you to slow down, re-wire how you do things and re-adjust your body’s rhythms?
- Do you take care of your body but ignore the care and feeding of your heart (your emotional well-being)? Read more.
Balance looks different for all of us depending on our life stage, our individual needs, whether or not we’re navigating a career or life transition and whether we’re caring for kids or parents. And, it changes constantly.
But isn’t is comforting to know that our emotional and physical bodies DESIRE to be in balance? That being in harmony is our natural state of well-being? (Thank God. It seems like a lot less work when you look at it that way!)
OUR job is to pause and get quiet enough to hear what it is we most need, and to respond.
Does this theme call you to action? I’d love to support you through weekly inspiration via my blog The Journey, through our Live Inside Out Facebook Community or consider learning about our Personal Renewal Group Program. Explore our other balanced living resources, here.
