Finding Balance

There are times when everything feels like it's in a harmonious, zen-like state, perfectly balanced and then suddenly one small thing changes that tips the scales into a state of complete chaos. Anyone with small children knows how quickly this can happen when trying to get out the door by a pre-determined time. Just this morning our family had what seemed like a leisurely breakfast together and not five minutes later everyone was scrambling for clothes, hair brushes, toothbrushes, wallets and boots. What a difference a few minutes make in the harmony of a morning routine.

Finding balance can be tricky, but learning to relax, breathe and go with the flow can help the harmony last longer.

Relax - If you want to have more balance, remember to stay relaxed. It's not about trying to get everything perfectly aligned and tenaciously holding it in place. There needs to be an ease and flow to the way you approach finding balance. A constant re-adjusting, however subtle, needs to happen in order to allow for natural changes and unexpected shifts. If you are too rigid and stiff, things can easily topple.

Breathe - Breathing is second nature. We often don't even think about how our body automatically keeps breathing in and out to fuel our body with the oxygen it needs and rid us of the carbon dioxide we don't. But consciously breathing deeply can help ground us, focus our attention and relax tension. Paying attention to our breath inspires a sense of calm and can bring us back to a place that feels less chaotic.

Go with the Flow - As daily demands pull us in different directions with competing priorities, going with the flow can reduce the tension of trying to hold everything in place or keep it perfectly balanced. Being adaptable to each situation as it arises, (while staying relaxed and breathing) creates a lot less stress.

I think a more effective word to use might be integration instead of balance. The image of finding that perfect place to stand on a teeter totter so that it's perfectly balanced comes to mind. But sometimes movement and play is needed. So relax, breathe and go with the flow of what's happening around you. At the very least you'll feel less stress and hopefully have more fun.