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Out of Balance

For the last week I have been in overdrive – working way beyond my usual template of time – in an effort to make a big leap forward.

Things needed to shift one way or another so I decided which way I preferred and went full blast ahead, working hard all day and all night.

The results were far better than I conservatively foresaw, however it was extremely draining. After a week of working myself so hard, I spent nearly three full days recuperating my energy. I felt almost energy-less throughout those three days without much ambition to do anything extra at all. Actually it was difficult to just get done what needed to be done.

What made it so tiring was that I had put aside my most treasured daily rituals and doing what makes my heart sing – all to focus on leaping through this tight window. I gave up many of those things that usually refresh and replenish my energy (such as baths, writing, games, etc). I sacrificed my usual vast timelessness for results. I did this knowing it’s not my usual preference, but did it anyway in a temporary effort to create large movement.

The beauty of trying this experiment was not only the pay-off (results), but also in realizing how blessed I am in my daily lifestyle. Over the past several years, I’ve invested a lot of energy into uncovering what my most fulfilling rituals are and implementing them as a daily priority. This creates a “filling of my cup” which has now become my regular being. This past week helped me to recall why I’ve made that such a focus and what the benefits are.

What is balance anyway?

Balance is defined by some as a desirable point between two or more opposite forces. The key is that we all have our own idea of balance between all different types of forces in our lives. We find our preferences by exploring each of these forces to their extreme. In these journeys we learn what feels right and what doesn’t. Balance for one person may seem like an extreme imbalance for another. We are all different. It’s amazing to understand more about yourself as you uncover your own balance.

This week I return, dedicated to completing this leap, yet also taking in some time for myself. I take a giant step closer back to my balance – with a new clarity on what that is and renewed gratitude for the blessings I have.

Looking forward to a more balanced week,

by Danielle Crume © 2009
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