Inspiration: Seeking Balance…
“Evermore in the world is this marvelous balance of beauty and disgust, magnificence and rats” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Inspiration: Seeking Balance… Pause and enjoy the peacock’s dance…
We have 174 days to the next year and I can feel the exhaustion slowly creeping up. Dressed like a magnificent bird, it beckons me to step inside the sparkling chamber of sleep and rest. “Everything can wait!” it says. “Nobody is indispensable …Tarry, tarry, tarry a while.” it assures me. I nod. I smile. I understand. So, why did I just shove that magnificent, brightly plumed bird to the side? Why is it so hard for us to find balance? Within each of us is a switch that we constantly flick on and off, as we struggle with desires, dreams, goals, expectations, even delusions and more. I was once advised by a great teacher and friend that the only person worth competing against is ourselves. It’s a waste of time to compete against others because you will fail. What? Think about it… Do your best work to your utmost, not to knock Jenny off her pedestal and outpace Liz in the trenches. There will always be others, so where would you stop? Focus on your own game not mine nor his or hers. Hmmm
We want our best self to rule the roost, yet we sabotage ourselves by overreaching, by overcompensating, by allowing disgust and fear to rule, and then, by flaming out. We run ourselves ragged and allow ourselves to be burnt to smithereens by unresolved fears of being left behind; alternating fears of success with a deep fear of failure. Mirroring the sacred and good work we do daily is the profane critic’s voice… “Not good enough, do more. Not good enough, say more. Not good enough, want more!” Until we shut that noisy, raspy voice up and embrace the magnificence of simple things around us; by pausing to smell scented Jasmin petals, perhaps resting under the Jacaranda tree, we will lose balance… We will struggle again and again to gain only snatches of joy. Who are you competing against? Where is your balance?
“Women need real moments of solitude and self-reflection to balance out how much of ourselves we give away.” Barbara De Angelis
Inspiration: Seeking Balance… Jacaranda Tree – Sit awhile and enjoy the beauty…
We all need down time, and even if others insist we are not doing enough; that we are not busy enough like Suzie’s mom, or active enough like Jamie’s mom, we must ignore them. We must ignore our inner critic too and just put our pretty feet up, when we feel like it, and inhale the beauty of a simple act … brew a cup of tea and sip it slowly. Then, when the voices grow louder, we must go sit under that jacaranda tree and say to those disgusting, ratty, annoying inner/outer voices… “Shut Up! Let me be!” Decide what’s best for you and do it. Acknowledge your shortcomings, your flaws, your hangups and your limitations and move on. We all have them; even those lousy critics do too.
If the voices taunt you again, say, “So what! Show me a living soul without flaws!” Then dance off into the sunlight and bathe in its warm radiant love… You earned it. You are beautiful just as you are. That my dear diva, sister, mama, blogging friend, is the secret to finding balance. It’s not about perfection and all the ducks in a row, it’s about acceptance with dirty dishes in the sink. What about you? Where is your balance? What are your thoughts? Do you find happiness in overwhelm? Do share! Thank you. 😉
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: Why is it so hard to find balance? Do you know anyone who has better balance than you do? What do you think their secret is?
Positive Motivation Tip: Make time to look at things and just be; no expectation, no criticism… just a time balance.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos white plumed peacock and jacaranda tree via Wikipedia.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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“…yet we sabotage ourselves by overreaching, by allowing disgust and fear to rule, by flaming out.” – and we usually aren’t even aware we are doing it…
As for fearing success and failure, last night (serendipity?) I’ve started writing a post on why both can be such a challenge.
Thank you for the peacock 😉
Sadly, we are not always aware of it… and we wonder why we feel like hamsters on a wheel. 😆
😉 I knew you’d like it… and your comment earlier today reminded me of it. TY!
A lovely thought provoking post. I do not find happiness in overwhelm. Indeed, I find happiness in the quiet moments, the pauses to reflect. My balance is solitude, to get away from TV, internet (though I’m having a harder time in doing this) and reading or simply sitting quietly outdoors looking at the flowers, plants, trees, and birds in my patio.
When my children were young I bordered on the overachieve/overwhelm, but tried to balance myself so that I could help them find their balance, their center.
I think I finally realized that the answers are within me and I don’t have to seek them elsewhere, or look to anyone else for them.
I had to laugh when I saw the title of this post about balance, my dear. I’m juggling five plates on poles – I don’t know which will break! With strength from my inner core, I hope to keep them all steady while in trial.
I love the tree – what a wonderful thought to brew a nice cup of tea and sit under that beautiful tree with my son. (sigh) Someday… 🙂
My definition of balance and your definition of balance may not be the same. We are all the best experts on something in our lives. If you need to get out of the house to see a movie to save your sanity, find a way to do it. If you would rather spend the day at the park with your kids, that’s fine, too. We can each decide what balance looks like for ourselves. I seem to juggle too many things at once. LOL
I also wanted to say that I love the PURPLE in that tree. Thanks.
like the balance artist Dan Bill
I just returned from a wonderful vacation with no internet, no phone calls or texts and very little TV. I read 3 books, snorkled every day, discovered new sights and most improtantly, reconnected with my husband and teenage son. It’s taken me two days to face the computer again since my return–I approach it with trepidation this morning, but with a promise that the three of us will not get sucked into our own electronic worlds each evening –a horrible habit we ahd fallen into between the internet, xbox and TV.
We need a balance between work, household labor and taking care of children.However, I sometimes emphasize on my work,I rethink my balance.:)
Thank you for your mention of my blog; I really appreciate it. Love the photos here, and your writing.
I just posted a post with a Barbara de Angelis quote:
The journey between what you once were and who you are now becoming is where the dance of life really takes place.
~ Barbara DeAngelis
On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined. ~ Lord Byron
Balance – the nemesis of the perenially busy. I can’t imagine anyone who really has it.
We’re either underwhelmed or oversubscribed. The few who claim to have it soon reframe their pronouncements.
Perhaps the key is to just sit umnder the tree when we want and shut out the noise.
B
Nice peacock there. I really don’t know how to achieve the balance that we need. I wonder if you feel the same way as I feel and we have something in common, and that is imbalance. Maybe this will help. Try to visit Silva Life System. I try the breathing exercises for the past 2 days and its a different feeling. I had more energy. Try to list down your negative thoughts as if you’re talking to yourself. All your anger, fear or something to bothers you or hinders you to fulfill your goal can be written on a piece of paper to ease the pain. I hope this helps
Nicely thought provoking.There is a fine line between balance and sterility and between change and chaos. Your post made me think about it. Thankyou
That’s my goal for this summer. Slowing down and taking time has made a difference in how I view summer, a season I didn’t used to like very much. Now that I’m more in tune with it (because I think summer almost requires us to slow down and ease up), it’s not such a bad season after all. 🙂
“alternating fears of success with failure”
Could not be more true!!! I’m not sure which is worse, but I suppose a fear of success can be even more of a time waster!!
Women need real moments of solitude and self-reflection to balance out how much of ourselves we give away.” Barbara De Angelis
I reallly like this quote. I enjoy my moments of solitude. Keeping balance and perspective in my life, its a way for tapping in with our inner being, Giving more clarity to my thoughts and sense of direction.
Loved this. I struggle every day, through my entire life, to find ways to achieve balance yet it is a phenomenon that eludes me. Sometimes I believe I want too much, think too much, fear too much and maybe I really do just need a giant jacaranda tree. But if I found that jacaranda…would I willingly go and sit under it?? Will keep your words in mind =)
Lately, I’ve been finding that I need more and more time to relax and reflect, to sleep and dream. At first, I was a bit nervous. I’m not used to so much involuntary down time but a friend mentioned that there are various vibrational changes going on and as a result, we need to rest more.
great post! I have decided to take this summer season to enjoy, relax and take some time for myself and just enjoy doing the things that makes me happy and sane. people may not think that I don’t do as much to actually need to take sometime to recharge or to relax, but I disagree with them and have to agree with you that we all need down time. I am one of those who need my alone time and enjoy my solitude. We all need down time. Very thought provoking post 🙂
Oh, that photo of the peacock – it is SO beautiful. All I could do was stare at it!
Great post and clearly it resonated with your readers! I hope that you are taking care of yourself and giving yourself permission to rest before you get back to playing. Cheers!
I’d love to find my inner peace under that jacaranda tree!
I hear you on that, so would I.
I really need to find balance in my life. As a VA, I’ve finally built my business into something that can actually be called a career. I love the money, but the hours are killing me. I get up, work, go to bed, rinse, and repeat.
Thank you so much for sharing. I am seeking balance myself and trying to work in more downtime. I’m always doing for others and seldom take me time. I made up my mind to start finding my balance and now.
I can definitely tell when I’m off balance. It’s just a matter of finding out what is causing it. It could be internal or external influences.
I am always looking for balance. I am not sure if I will ever find it, but I keep trying.
You are not alone… persevere. <3
Such a wonderful and positive post. I love it!!! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
I totally need some down time and a nice cup of tea with my feet up would be so nice right now. I really need to find balance in my life.
Having true balance sounds absolutely wonderful right now. Unfortunately I have a lot of work to do before I get there.
Great post. That tree is absolutely beautiful . I could sit there all day looking at it.
The positive message in this post really speaks to me! I am constantly getting down on myself because I compare myself to the success of others. Thanks for nudging me back towards the right path.
I think balance for me is about the same. Love your post.
Oh wow, I have never seen a white peacock. Taking one step at a time no matter what you goal is, is the key to having inner peace.
Balance in life can be difficult to achieve! I just keep trying my best
I love the beautiful photo’s that you used. I agree it is always east to compare ourselves to someone else. However, we forget that they aren’t perfect either. Who knows what goes on behind the scenes.
Balance has been my unicorn… Does it really actually exist?
I love how you mention ignoring your inner critic
It is so true there is no point competing with others because there will always be someone to compete against so better to compete with yourself and also find the balance.
The peacock looks stunning! Also, it’s true what they say – you can’t have it all. 🙂
Right now I’m competing against myself. Not in the blog, but in life. Poor decisions (student loans) have turned my peaceful world upside down. #workingthroughit 🙂
Well said and so very true!
The older I get the better I get at maintaining some sort of balance in my life. Before I was easily overwhelmed by never saying no and expecting miraculous feats of myself all the time. Now I’ve learned that I am only in competition with myself where the rules stay the same and the goals are constant. I’m not interested in competeing with anyone else. 🙂
Achieving balance is always important in my book. It’s not always easy but knowing that it’s very important is just half the battle. The other is letting go that some things will have to go on the wayside in order to achieve a level of comfort with being balanced.
Balance is one of my focus words this year. Slowly but surely getting there, it takes work though!
Balance is what we all need. It is so nice to work but it is just as nice to relax and do nothing too. Without balance there is total chaos. Thanks for sharing and I never seen a white peacock before.
Your posts always make me think so deeply. I really do need to find acceptance within myself, dirty dishes and all. Thank you.
Thank you Sarajayne! I love your consistent thoughtful feedback… appreciated
I have been feeling so overwhelmed with blogging that I think what I need is balance like you said. I just need to take a walk and enjoy the fresh air away from my computer and just find my center.
You’re not alone. I keep fantasizing about having enough funds to use more of the Virtual Assistant services so, I can focus on building my business and doing more writing … and living my life … with my loved ones.. Ahhh! <3
We all definitely need some down time. My husband and I just went our first trip together from the kids last week, and it was refreshing for both of us.
Good for you Stephanie!
I have never heard that Emerson quote before but it’s quite profound, isn’t it? For how would we recognize true beauty if we hadn’t also experienced disgust?
Yet another amazing & inspiring post. Love that beautiful white peacock! Finding the right balance is always a big challenge, but I think giving enough time when it is really needed could make a huge difference.
I wish I had my life together enough to have this “balance” that you speak of, but it’s just not an option right now.
I love the colorful photos! I hope that means spring is coming soon! =-)
What a gorgeous peacock and jacaranda tree decorating this post! I think it’s really hard to find balance because nowadays (for most people), it’s not just ‘yourself’ that you have to worry or think about, it’s other people too. With so many different types of ‘energy’ that you come in contact with on a daily basis, it has a way of throwing yours off too.
Gorgeous post – we really are our own worst critics. Love how open you were in this post!
Ok, I’m totally loving the photos today!!! That white peacock! Omg I would love to see one in real life. So beautiful 🙂
We need balance in everything… and something that’s really hard to achieve. I hope I can get more balance in my life.
Depending on all our different lifestyles, our definitions of balance must vary greatly from person to person. Thanks for the interesting read!
Balance is the key to everything! Being centered in yourself lets you anticipate what is coming and react to what you don’t without falling on your face (literally and figuratively).
BEAUTIFUL peacock, it really drew me into your post 🙂 And I know that this is the title of your website, but you do always post such motivational and inspiring things. Thank you so much for sharing!
My husband and I were just talking about finding balance in my work life. I get so stressed and overwhelmed and everyone feels it.
Great post! I can relate to the need for real moments of solitude to balance everything out. I have to take time away from the daily chaos to relax and reflex in order to be at my best!