We have all heard the phrase, “Life is a balancing act”, and I would say most of us agree. In today’s hectic world, we are called upon to balance our work, family, play, priorities and so much more. We spend much of our time thinking about the next important thing that we must get done. Our lives are a fast-paced, move on, hurry up, get moving and make a decision kind of existence.
Whew. I’m tired just thinking about it.
My question for each of us today is this: Do you want to “exist” or do you really want to “live”?
The answer is obvious, but we often struggle with how to get from the former to the latter – from simple existence to truly living.
“Life is a balancing act” – there it is again.
Look in the definition above and you will see “a state of equilibrium or equipoise.” Okay, that’s nice, but it doesn’t resonate with me as much as “habit of calm behavior.” Now that makes sense. Both “habit” and “calm” speak to me – they feel right and needed.
So what does this “habit of calm behavior” look like? How can we experience it in our everyday lives?
In order to do so, we must understand the common characteristics of balance.
Back in the day, The Birds took a verse from the Bible and made it into a song entitled Turn, Turn, Turn. Here are some of the lyrics:
To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under HeavenA time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weepTo Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven
That’s timing. More importantly, that’s balance. When you stop and feel the truth of these words you begin to get a sense of that “habit of calm behavior” we have been talking about.
Everything in life must have a time and a place. Balance requires us to think about timing and pace, composure and control.
When we get a sense of timing for our lives, we then can look at the second characteristic of balance.
Harmony is the ability to bring discordant , conflicting things together into a smooth running whole. Where timing is about pace and control, harmony in life is about ease and flow.
In order to achieve harmony for our scattered lives, we must first make a conscious decision about what is truly important to us. We must decide where our priorities lie.
We must then be willing to reduce, lessen or completely cut out everything that doesn’t lie within these priorities. This takes work – more about that in a minute.
Harmony is the orderly mixture of the important things.
It’s about concord, consistency, peace and unity.
You know it when you feel it.
Like so many things in life, nothing great is achieved without action. In order to be fulfilled, empowered, healthy and happy – we must get up, get out and act.
Balance is the same way.
In order to experience that “habit of calm behavior” in our everyday lives, we must take mental, emotional and physical steps towards it each day. It takes concerted effort. It doesn’t just “happen” to us because we desire it.
Balance is work.
The question is: Are you willing to do what it takes?
Are you willing to act in order to feel balanced?
Are you ready to sit down (literally) and take the time get this right?
I’m rooting for you and I’m here to help.
