Finding Balance
This week was the Autumn Equinox where I am in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s the magical moment when the entire Earth feels poised; having just for a breath in complete balance. Daylight hours are equal to hours of darkness and after the exuberance of summer we’re invited to begin the long slow draw inwards that culminates at the Solstice.
This year the Equinox has me contemplating balance. It’s one of the ongoing themes of any life that seeks peace in the midst of turbulent times. And now, more than ever, I’m feeling the effects of a world that feels incredibly off.
Yoga and Balance
Many folks come to yoga seeking balance. They’ve heard yoga is good for calming stressed nerves, it might help them sleep, or they want to be more flexible after years of an office job. They come looking for balance imagining it to be fixed, like a point on a map. Once they find it, they’ll have it. Then they’ll never be out of balance again. No more stress, easy days ahead.
But a few months into yoga they learn what we all must, balance is a moving target, not a fixed destination. Every day requires some new way of being if we want to feel the ease we felt yesterday. Bodies change and we must change how we relate to them. Circumstances change, demands on us change, everything changes and so we too must change if we want to continue to feel balanced.
When Balance Slips Away
Many of us get into a routine. We go to the weekly yoga class, show up for coffee with the girls, and we turn off the phone at a reasonable time. A rhythm grows that keeps life somewhat steady. And sometimes, we get so set in the routine, that we don’t notice when we’re more wobbly than we thought. Balance has gotten skewed again, it’s barely there anymore, and we don’t even see it.
That’s why the Equinox is such a potent time. Twice a year, Mother Earth pauses to rebalance. Doing so, she teaches us to do the same. Even if it’s only twice a year, pausing and recalibrating can be very powerful.
Questions to help you Re-Balance
Here are some questions to ask yourself as we pass the Equinox:
Where in my life do I feel balanced?
Where do I feel out of balance?
What has been getting too much time, attention, or energy lately?
What could use more time, attention, or energy as we go into the colder months?
What support do I need in order to make any changes I want to make?
That last question is often forgotten, but can have the biggest impact on whether or not you can bring more balance into your life. It’s hard to change. It’s hard to sustain change. So having support like friends, family, coaches, and mentors to talk you through it can make a huge difference in your success. Remembering that you’re not alone, and you don’t have to do life alone, can be a huge way to bring more balance.
Surfing Together
As we crawl into the natural quiet of winter I do hope you’ll pause. Consider what could use more equilibrium in your life. And move in that direction.
The more balance we find within ourselves, the more we can surf the waves that life keeps sending. See ya out there!