Balance, Schmalance

Anyone else noticing that Balance is one of the hot buzzwords?

Now y’all might disagree with me, but I think the the use of the word “balance” has been overkill.  No wonder, though.  In our chaotic world, a little bit of everything being equal and accounted for sounds quite delightful.  So what is it that we really want out of achieving balance.  And, really, what does this word even mean?

I recently had a very nice interaction with a chiropractic colleague on Facebook regarding this very topic.  His provoking question was, “Do you seek health or balance?”  I thought this was a great conversation starter and really got me thinking.  We tend to think that Health and Balance are one in the same.

Read below for the actual definition of balance, according to the online Webster Dictionary.

From the online Webster’s Dictionary

As you can see, two dominant words in the definition are “equilibrium” and “static.”

In my humble  opinion, I would have to agree:  Balance = Static

Now if you look at the–ahem–finely crafted graphic below (yes, I made them myself), this is traditionally how we view balance–

Does it look like there is any movement when you are balancing?

No momentum, no movement, no ride….

The graphics below give a more accurate representation of how “balance” truly shows up in our lives.

See…Up’s and Down’s…constant movement and momentum

When you say “Balance,” you are really seeking the ability to give appropriate time and energy to priorities in your life–NOT necessarily seeking stasis.  Of course, distribution varies depending on personal values.  You may value your spiritual practice more than career, or career more than spirituality, or value both equally.  What you truly desire is to be able to devote yourself to the things that are important to you.

Energy is constantly moving between the various areas of your life.

One area is never completely separate from another because there is always  a common denominator–YOU!

It’s those times of being off-balance that cause you to want to seek a more balanced state.  Your greatest times of growth and progress are when you have deviated from balance, and chaos has become the dominant state–even if just for a moment.  This opportunity–often disguised as an obstacle–is perfect for you to take a more accurate inventory for your life.

Am I spending the time I want with my family?  Are my finances working?  Is my relationship satisfying?  Do I feel able to take care of myself?

When you are living your life out of alignment with who you are, something will always come up to get you to pay attention and change what you’re doing.  This is to get you back into alignment with who you are.

So, I encourage you to embrace when things feel off-balance as it pushes you to reorganize your current way of living to move back to a state of “balance.”

October’s Focus: Accept What Is

In one sense, accepting what is, is a given.  What is–the reality of the moment–can’t be otherwise, so why fight it?  But acceptance doesn’t mean resignation.  It’s also an invitation to dig deeper.  That’s where we strike gold.  Beneath appearances lies a more nuanced level of reality.  It’s like looking at someone’s face and seeing the story behind it.  Everything is precious once we know how to look.

Practice: Open Your Mind

The suggested practice for September from the One Spirit Book of Days:

Were you allergic to math or science in school?  Are you a computer geek who hates to read?  Deliberately push your brain out of its cozy nest.  Enroll in a math-for-poets course, or Shakespeare for engineers.  Read something by an expert who writes accessibly on the subject you sidestepped in school.  Seek out conversations with knowledgeable people and hang on their words.  Let yourself be transported by others’ passions.

Trails of Discovery

From any new field of knowledge, there are by-ways branching out in all directions, leading to thrilling discoveries.  If you’re pursuing an interest in, say, local history, you might get sidetracked by events on the national scale; if you’re intrigued by astronomy, you might enlarge your perspective on the topic by learning about the mythic figures who lend their names to the constellations or planets, such as Pegasus or Jupiter.  All knowledge, ultimately, is interconnected.  Illuminate your life by tracing some of the threads.

Set Your Intention for September

Latest words of wisdom from the One Spirit Book of Days:

I’m committed to lifelong learning.  I continually open myself to new ideas.  I make a point of informing myself on all sides of an issue.

Octupus’s Garden

Sea creatures include some of the strangest species in nature:  think of the seahorse, the octopus, the starfish.  Face to face encounters with such animals give us food for thought about life itself.  An aquarium usually has subdued lighting, making it a perfect setting for meditation as you contemplate unfamiliar life-forms.  As a brave next step, consider the idea of learning to snorkel or dive–in a realm far from everyday routines.

September Focus–Expand Your Horizons

It’s never been easier to be well-informed, with so many learning opportunities, on- and off-line, a lot of them free.  The vast university of cyberspace offers the possibility of pursuing nearly any subject, no matter how obscure.  Just searching an entry on an encyclopedia website can send you down an electronic trail crossing centuries and cultures.  Unloose your curiosity and let it roam.

August–Final Thoughts

I enjoyed the focus for this month of Slowing Down.  I see families already gearing up with the start of school, fall activities, and, of course, Football season (Go Packers!!)  How many of us fit in the time to relax, slow down and be?  How many tried to pack in as much as we could as soon as the “Oh my goodness, summer is almost over” panic?  Did you do a mix of both?  As we move into Labor Day weekend, examine what your plans are.  Look to see how much or how little activity you have in store for yourself.  Enjoy!

Project: The Joy of Anticipation

“I want it all, and I want it now” is the cultural mantra.  Funny, because research shows that anticipating something is more gratifying to us than actually having it.  Give yourself things to look forward to:  plan a party, book a ski trip, buy a lottery ticket, order seats for the play that’s generating a lot of advance buzz.  Wallow in the exquisite pleasure of waiting.

Herbal Habitat

A small-scale windowsill herb garden is an excellent way to derive relaxation from the graceful art of nurturing–especially if you don’t have a pet.  Regard your herb garden as a miniature ecosystem of which you are chief warden.  Make it your responsibility to keep the herbs tidy and healthy.  Learning the Latin names of the herbs will help to instill a sense of pride.  When the time comes, be sure you get to sample the flavors.