Balance
As a child, I would attempt to bring balance to the see-saw. The challenge was not getting the board parallel to the ground; it was keeping it there. I would stand in the middle of the board and shift my weight back and forth, attempting to find the equilibrium. Even when the board was balanced, I could feel my muscles twitch, slightly adjusting the weight distribution. The balance was an illusion of steadiness, for subtle movements were required to maintain the illusion.
I had not recalled this experience until I got into a discussion with a friend about maintaining balance in life. He believed that what is needed in life is not balance, which is steady, but harmony, which can be unsteady. We both shared the same ideas; it was the wording we initially disagreed on. I often say that words matter, but I sometimes forget that context and understanding are just as important. This friend has a significant influence on my life, and I often find myself influenced by his ideas and views. While our viewpoints mostly align, I sometimes prioritize his beliefs over my experiences. Have you ever found yourself doing that? Putting more weight on another person’s perception or experience than trusting your own?
How often have you doubted yourself due to someone else's words or ideas? Allowed their perspective to overshadow your own? Put experience on the back burner for another’s truth? Where is your balance between trusting your instinct and trusting others?
That is still a work in progress for me. As a therapist, I strive to help others make informed choices, weigh the pros and cons, and gain a better understanding of themselves. The people who come into my office expecting me to give them all the answers usually do not last long, while the ones who are open to finding their own answers tend to fare better in the long run. Even with this stance on therapy, there is a balance, in some cases, a dance.
I am not in this business to make money, although it is necessary to maintain my ability to help others. There is a balance here, too. Give and take, what is required, what is not, and most importantly, are you giving yourself as much credit as you give others?
I tend to give my friend more credit than I should. While his ideas are vali and work for him, they do not always work for me, and that is ok. Life is about balance; sometimes the see-saw tilts too far to the right, and sometimes it tilts too far to the left, but as long as neither end touches the ground, I think you're golden. :)
Jodie Nicole