Being in balance

One of my clients posed a really good question this week:

"What does it actually mean to be in balance? Can you truly achieve that in your life, or is it just something you kind of aspire to get to?"

So let's explore this today...




I've noticed that, initially, many people are a bit resistant to the notion of balance. And rightfully so. This is because balance is usually perceived as being about reaching a state of equilibrium - a static state - and so, realistically, how can you create that in the midst of the ebb and flow of life? How can you grow, when you're staying the same?

In reality, balance is a dynamic process which, when you understand how it works, IS something you can make work for you in your own life. I had a vivid dream a few nights ago that struck me as a great way of illustrating this principle. In my dream I was a fabulous skateboarder - in reality, I've never even set foot on a skateboard but, hey, you can do anything you wish in dreams, can't you?

In the dream, the feeling of riding the skateboard was absolutely exhilarating - a feeling of oneness and of being in tune with a powerful flow of energy. I've sure you've seen really talented skateboarders in action - they're very focused, yet they have an air of ease and centredness about them, making even the most difficult manoevres look effortless.

And, of course, they are in perfect balance - while being in perpetual motion. So, with that image in mind, how does this translate to your life? Looked at this way, balance is the complete opposite of being in some kind of motionless, unchanging state, isn't it?

Let's look more closely at those two words I used to describe great skateboarders - ease and centredness - because they provide the keys to feeling balanced. Life balance is about finding your centre in the midst of the ups and downs of the various aspects of your life, and the external forces of the environment around you.

But this doesn't have to feel like a struggle... Picture, for a moment, that your life is like a big arena, with the different domains of activity (eg work, home, relationships, money, health, creativity, spirituality) laid out on the ground in sectors, like the spokes within a wheel. Know that you're the master of this domain. Imagine that you are the fabulous skateboarder here, who is able to effortlessly move around the arena.

Picture this in your mind and feel how easily you are able to flow from one aspect of your life to another - and how much fun it is to be focused on where you are, yet remain relaxed. You choose which aspect of your life you wish to place your focus on at this moment in time. And there's no need to be everywhere at once, is there? Allow yourself to feel your natural oneness with the environment and the universe around you... Experience the flow of energy within you and around you, and know that this is your true state of being...

So... next time you're feeling stressed and unbalanced in your daily life, remind yourself of this feeling of ease and oneness. Bring your attention back to where you are right now and reconnect with that master rider within who will always know the right direction to take to get you where you need to go...