Balance - The Key to Long Term Sustainability of Anything

Pulling on a rubber band and stretching it to its max, makes the rubber band, once released, fling violently the other direction. If one happens to be in the way of this velocity, a sharp sting ensues. At any given time in our lives, we have different “parts” of us that require attention. If we divide our lives into separate components, we can individually see these “buckets” that need our time and attention. Everyone’s exact makeup of their individual buckets may differ, but we may also share some in common. I happen to have a mother bucket, a career bucket, a significant other bucket, an alone time bucket, an exercise bucket, and a friend bucket – just to name a few. I have found that at different times of my life one or more buckets demands more of my time, energy, and resources depending on the situation. I have also found that for the most part, the buckets are in need of filling individually and that they don’t tend to overlap. If I am spending time with my children, I won’t be spending time on my career. If I spend time alone, I won’t be spending time with my significant other.  Now, it is true that you can fill up two buckets at the same time. For example, by going for a walk, I can satisfy my alone time as well as my need to exercise. I can spend time with my children while spending time with my significant other having fun at a backyard BBQ.  

The biggest thing I have noticed over the years though is that I find myself off kilter when I spend too much time in one bucket while allowing the other buckets to remain unfilled.  If I must work many long hours at my job, I end up not filling up quality time as a mother, or as a friend.  If I spend too much time with my children, I end up being out of balance in the other aspects of my life.  When my buckets get out of whack, I have less satisfaction as a whole person and I also tend to move more easily to the negative emotions of life. I tend to move more quickly to anger, loneliness or sadness when I am out of balance. When my buckets are in balance, I can more easily find joy, laughter, and goodness in these parts of my life. 

When we are pulled too hard in one direction, we often go very hard in the opposite direction as compensation. A pendulum pulled to the left will return exactly that same distance to the right. A pendulum in balance can remain there – literally, forever. Just like needing to balance my buckets so that I lead a satisfying life, I also find that I need balance with my health as well. I need the balance that comes from paying attention to my body, mind, and spirit.

Try to find equilibrium in your life. Try to balance out your buckets. And for goodness sakes, don’t stretch anything in your life as tightly as a rubber band. The sting that ensues when it snaps back creates a wake-up call to quickly get back in balance, which cannot easily be ignored!

Remember always that you are worthy, you are lovable, and you deserve goodness in your life!