Balance is a term that is used frequently these days. The concept of balance is inspiring. In our busy lives, we want to make sure that we are not putting too much emphasis and effort in one area while neglecting others. A brave and noble intention- often easier said than done.
When I think of balance, I think of those impressive performers who can run back and forth across a stage, keeping dozens of plates simultaneously spinning in mid-air. Isn’t that how life feels sometimes? I hear the metaphor used often.
I might be better off if those plate-spinner guys had disclaimers like they have on the car commercials that say “Professional driver. Closed course.”…or on stunt shows that say, “Do not try this at home.” See, I am not a professional plate-spinner. It’s good for me to remember that. My balance is not that great, either.
I spent years attempting what I thought was balance- balancing work time with family time; balancing exercise with sufficient rest; balancing the checkbook; balancing the budget- all the while thinking that I needed to manage all of these different areas. Looking back, it seems that this idea of balance is more like self-imposed schizophrenia- trying to be all these different people in one life.
When striving for balance turns into a one-person contest to see how many different things we can do in a day, it can make us overwhelmed, and most people don’t function well at all when they are overwhelmed. In my case, it took almost all of my plates crashing to the ground to make me realize that I was not in need of more balance- I was in need of a foundation.
One of the nice things about your life falling apart is that it creates plenty of time to think, pray and reflect. Gradually, I looked back and learned lots. I learned that good intentions do not always lead to good results. I learned that if things are not broken, they may not need fixing. And I learned that if I could find a solid foundation for living, I would not need to spend so much time trying to balance.
I like the word “pinion”. Some of you may have better definitions for it than I do, but my two favorite definitions are: (mechanical) a gear that controls the movement of other gears and systems, and (biological) the part of a bird’s feather that connects to the body. In other words, a pinion is the point from which all movement originates, or- if you will- the foundation of action.
I also like the word “home”. I have heard that the more secure and stable a person is with their concept of home, the farther away they are able to travel securely. Yoga instructors teach their students about “home” or “center” as a place they can return to rest and stabilize their breathing whenever they find a particular pose too challenging. “Home” is another great analogy for a foundation of being.
In the course of my consulting work, I have the opportunity to spend time on a very personal level with some extraordinary people. To look at them from the outside, they appear to be phenoms- able to do many different things with superlative effectiveness. Ironically, they usually don’t consider themselves to be super-human multi-taskers. Rather, they have certain principles that guide every aspect of their lives, so that they are able to move through life with more focus and freedom, while others remain stuck in crises of character. Basketball Hall of Famer Ruthie Bolton’s dad used to tell her, “If you carry a few principles with you, you don’t need a suitcase full of rules.”
The firmer the foundation, the less balance is needed. Great gifts sometimes come in unwelcome packages. I am so grateful that I was forced to discover what my foundation for living is, and then to dedicate my life to helping others find theirs. From the outside, my life appears more balanced, harmonious and abundant than ever- and it is. But I am not managing that. I just make sure that I am in integrity with a few principles, and the rest takes care of itself.
I am still the owner of Local Heroes Productions, and I still use the “Get Real” 6-Step formula to balance and thrive in life.