You have seen it before.
Those individuals who are “over here” one moment and “over there” the next.
They can never seem to sit still.
They live their lives trying to keep up with a never ending to-do list.
And they never seem to be fully present in whatever they do.
Ironically, if you ask them “why…what pushes you to live like this?”
Many of them would say they are trying to live a balanced life.
However, this is anything but balance.
Why not?
Because along with this ultra-busy lifestyle, many of these people complain of having a lack of energy, fatigue, and often rely on sugary drinks and caffeine to get up and going.
Simply put, this is a life of being overstretched, over-stimulated, and without order.
The very opposite of balanced living.
So what is balanced living?
Many health and wellness coaches say it is about drawing an even divide between work and play or making time for key domains of life, such work, play, family, and friends.
This is partly true.
But, it goes much deeper than this.
A helpful quote in understanding the true meaning of balance is by spiritual teacher, Koi Fresco.
He states, “Balance is key to everything. What we do, think, say, eat, feel, they all require awareness, and through this awareness we can grow.”
What this quote is saying is that in order for there to balance, there must first be awareness.
Or, in other words, one must understand the “why” behind what they do.
Whether people realize it or not, their why for doing what they do often comes from trying to keep up with the demands of modern society.
Modern society says to “Go, go, go. You must do more. You must be more. You must have more.”
It’s a destructive script.
One that ultimately leads to chronic stress, anxiety, depression, burn-out…all of the symptoms of imbalance.
So again, one must first have awareness of their driving forces and let go of any destructive script that encourages imbalance.
Then the foundation for balance can bet set.
And what does balance look like?
-
-
- Knowing who you truly are and living according your values.
- Accepting the fact that you have strengths as well as limitations and cannot be all things to all people.
- Being mindful of where you place your time and energy and living with boundaries.
- Recognizing what matters most to you and living in alignment with your passions.
- Doing your very best at life, but also accepting the things that you cannot change.
-
Like a tree that is strongly rooted, when you have balance, you are not easily moved by the ups and downs of life.
Instead, you are steady in your mind and avoid extremes because you know that difficult seasons don’t always last.
Balance may look different for each person because we are all unique and have our own paths in life, but it all results in being a more grounded and mindful person.
You could say, balance is not so much an action, but a state of being.
So, I encourage you to go within.
Reflect.
Let go of anything that is causing you imbalance.
Then, step by step, moment by moment, create balance.
Go.
Live balanced.
“Balanced comes in the moments when you stand up for the life you truly want for yourself, by making choices that align with that.” ~ Author Unknown