Comments on: On Chasing Balance Versus Seeking Your Center

By: On Making a Dream Come True — the halfway point

On Making a Dream Come True — the halfway point — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:48:49 +0000

[...] A terrific writer and a super nice gal to boot, I’m delighted that Aidan took the time in her hectic schedule to share with us her thoughts on fact, fiction, the art of writing and work/life balance. [...]

By: Eva @ EvaEvolving

Eva @ EvaEvolving — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:06:53 +0000

Oh my, this post is fabulous! Thank you for asking the tough questions, Belinda. After reading this, I have much thinking to do about balance.

My initial reactions: I do think you’re right, that “balance” might be a luxury of the wealthy, of the developed world. That it might be an illusion we’ve created or a convenient excuse. Because like you, I really enjoy being busy and fully engaged in a project. I enjoy throwing all my time and energy toward something. And I’m not sure what balance looks like or if I actually want it. Maybe I’d be bored if I had it!

By: Wilma Ham

Wilma Ham — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:51:24 +0000

Our thoughts judge and make things wrong and say that they are out of balance.
Is a boat who heels out of balance?
Is a storm on your day off when you want sun, out of balance?
Nothing is out of balance until we judge it so and when we focus on the problem rather than creating a solution.
Is running out of money being out of balance when creating a solution is how you look at life? No it is just what is and you go and create a solution.
Our current inability to create solutions beyond the level we have created them is causing our illusion of being out of balance. As long as our ego-style mind is in charge and not our heart-centered intelligence, we will always judge life as being out of balance. Do not indulge in your feelings about balance, there is always balance, it is our ego who loves this kind of talk.
xox Wilma

By: Hulbert Lee

Hulbert Lee — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 22:30:12 +0000

Hi Belinda, many people write about balance such as balancing work and play. One example might be putting giving 50 percent to your work and giving 50 percent to play, or combining the two together so work becomes play. I don’t think there is an exact thing called balance and when you try to chase it, it can make you miserable. I do want to have more balance in my life though, but tend to do it one step at a time so that achieving balance doesn’t become too overwhelming.

By: Davina

Davina — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 05:31:39 +0000

Hi Belinda.
I think about balance. I also believe that we can decide that we are balanced, no matter what the circumstances; it’s a matter of adjusting and flowing with what is in the moment and not trying to hold on to what we define as balance. I think it is similar to happiness in the sense that it is always there, we just have to allow it. Now… do I feel balanced? Most of the time… no, lol. I think too much.

By: Rudri

Rudri — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 04:36:58 +0000

I think in the end balance works as a concept, but not as a reality. Are you balanced when you are happy? Are you not balanced when you are sad? I don’t know the answer to these questions. I think your analogy is appropriate. If your core/center is solid, the waves of balance shouldn’t frustrate you.

As always, you offer interesting perspectives on topics that are relevant to all. Thanks.

By: Mama Zen

Mama Zen — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 01:53:45 +0000

“It tells me it’s possible (and okay!) to love work as much as play”

Oh, thank you for that!

By: Aging Mommy

Aging Mommy — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 20:33:03 +0000

Hi Belinda – this is a wonderfully thought provoking post and beautifully written. It is hard to get the right balance in life and sometimes we think we have it and then realize someone or something important that doesn’t necessarily shout out at us for attention is being neglected.

By: Tisha

Tisha — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 18:01:25 +0000

Hi Belinda,

Yes, I have struggled with this concept before. And I have been frustrated with what it’s supposed to mean for my life when I look around and see women and moms embracing “all” of their parts and juggling what seems like a LOT of stuff. My first response was to jump on the bandwagon and encourage this mult-tasking go-get ‘em sort of attitude, but the only problem is that it often sets people up for failure – simply because they are ascribing to the idea of what’s possible, not necessarily for them, but for the so-called masses. I think you are spot on when you speak of finding your center as opposed to seeking the elusive holy grail of balance because it is only within ourselves that we can determine what our “best” is and how much, or little, we can or would like to take on. And whatever that might be is OKAY, no matter how it measure up against the masses. Thanks for a fantastic post!

By: Cassie

Cassie — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 17:09:34 +0000

Hello, my dear. Speaking from the depths of my personal mid-life crisis (ha) the term “balance” doesn’t resonated with me either. Holding more still than I have for many years, the concept that keeps coming up is “peace” – I’m paying attention to how to find that little light of peace that’s somewhere inside all the time and that’s easier or more difficult to access depending on choice, action, and attitude.

It’s different then working towards being “happy” or being “balanced”, it’s not a state of being, though it’s more easily accessed through certain moods than others which is why I think we try so hard to be happy or balanced. But I know I’ve felt the thrumming of peace after an intense day of productive business meetings in the same way I’ve felt peace while making my niece laugh. And also I’ve felt peace going through painful situations – as long as I’m being truthful about them and know that resolution is coming. The quality of the satisfaction/happiness/joy/pain is different each time, and they DON’T always balance out. But the sense of peace that comes with each is different.

And now you know how I’m doing here in Austin. Love to you and the boys!