One Balanced Life

I am sitting. Thinking. Staring out the window. Procrastinating on preparing for a speaking gig. I’ve been asked to speak about life balance. And while I’ve done it 100 times what comes to me (after being gone more days than not out of the last two weeks or at least it seems that way) is this…

“It doesn’t exist. Period. End of session. Thank you all for coming. You can leave now and instead of listening to me go do something to take of yourself. A walk in the woods, a pedicure, a talk with friend, whatever. Just go experience it.”

But am thinking that ain’t gonna fly…I have an hour to fill. But it is the truth. Life balance doesn’t really exist. There will always be that unexpected phone call, a child with a fever, a forgotten bill, a friend in need, a urgent deadline, or some other unanticipated disaster. That is life. The one thing you can count on is that there will be something every single day that throws you off course and potentially sends you spinning. Good or bad.

The truth is balance is an art. It is a state of being. It takes persistence. It is work. It is a subtle dance of taking care of yourself first above everyone else (yes shocking I know – take a deep breath…baby steps), of managing your energy, of getting the support you need, and of always remembering to come back to the moment.

Something Karen Maezen Miller said in one of her retreats jumps out at me…
“I didn’t say it was easy. I said it was simple.”

Maybe I will throw that in there and then send them on their way.