March 13, 2007

Walking the Balance Beam   I love the stamina and the grace of gymnasts on the balance beam.  It is amazing what they can accomplish on a piece of wood four inches thick and sixteen feet long. When you think about it though, walking the beam is what we do in our lives on a daily basis.  We find ourselves waking up every morning and getting on the beam and balancing our personal and professional lives, and getting off the beam only when we retire for the evening.  Even then our minds are often racing, thus robbing us of a peaceful rest.   I liken the balance beam, and life, to a series of Mountains, Valleys, and Missiles.  I learned this metaphor from my business coach and mentor, Chris Barrow.  It is a technique I often use to reframe the events of my life and my thoughts and feelings around these events. Mountains are those moments when you feel on top of the world, when your routine on the balance beam went off without a hitch, when life is on a roll and you are in the groove, and balance comes naturally.  These are the moments we live for. Valleys are those low moments, the ones that are not so enjoyable and send you off the balance beam.  You tip precariously, one way and then the other, you slip and grab the beam for support or perhaps you fall to the ground. Darkness is beginning to set in and you realize that the groove has been lost. Missiles are those unexpected moments that have a tendency to rock your world; they knock you off your tracks.  Many times they occur through no fault of your own.  I liken it to having someone come and shove you off the beam with such a powerful force that you are left in a crumbling heap.  We've all had "bad stuff" happen and know that the missile is most powerful and destructive.   I find that when I place the moments of my life into one of these three categories I become more relaxed and stop over analyzing the events.  I just drop them into the appropriate "bucket" and move on.  Granted, it might take me a little while to move but I pride myself in knowing where I am at the moment.  Awareness is empowering and I know that another mountain will soon be on the horizon.        "This Too Will Pass"   This affirmation is one that can be used in all times of our lives.  When life is rolling along and you are balanced on the beam, say these four words to yourself.  When you are down in the valley contemplating why nothing is working say these words again.  Say them over and over after the missile has hit and it feels like the bottom has fallen out.   "This too will pass" gives you a sense of perspective to look at your life.  Change is the only constant and this saying can give you the strength, courage, and grace to get back on the balance beam when you find yourself in the valley or struck by a missile.  This phrase also enables you to relish the mountainous events in your life and be in the moment because change can and will occur again.        I wanted to be on top of the mountain all of the time. I was never very good at handling valleys and missiles in my life. I could second guess all my actions and beat myself up just as much as the world was beating up on me. What was wrong with wanting to be on top of the mountain all of the time?   I see now that most of my growth and strength has come from the depths of the valleys when I had to take the reins and climb back onto the beam. No one could do it but me.    My core was shaken when I closed my dental practice a few years ago and the future looked mighty bleak. "This too will pass" was the farthest thought in my mind, but it has passed, as have all the other momentous and disastrous events in my life. I find myself going more with the flow these days and remind myself that "it is what it is".   I will experience with grace the mountains, valleys, and missiles and see the true abundance in the world.   Have a great week and walk the beam.   Stephanie   P.S.  It has been almost two years since I started writing The Balance Beam and my readership has grown tremendously.  I appreciate each and every one of you.  I am reprinting for you my very first Balance Beam.  Its message always helps me keep my life in perspective.        We grow by "word-of-email" so please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone whom you think might benefit from and enjoy it. Thanks so much! Contact Us: stephanie@7steps2abalancedlife.com