Life: the Ultimate High-Wire Act
Since my 20s, I heard repeatedly that balance is pivotal to living a peaceful existence. But, I didn’t quite understand what living a balanced life meant…until I realized, I was off kilter, which is why I didn’t get it — make sense? Billy Joel got it. Just listen to his classic “I Go to Extremes!”
I try not to judge myself, much less others. Each of has our own path to walk, and the way we choose to go about it is entirely up to the individual. Some folks strut down the catwalk that is life; while others over assess every square on the yellow brick road. I’ve been on both ends of those spectrums. So, balance (I’ve come to find at the sweet age of nearly 43) is akin to — not the cat walk or the yellow brick road — but that of the high-wire act at Ringling Bros.
Meaning life is delicate, yet simple — balance even more so. Everything in life boils down to the most basic symbiotic formula of give and take. If you give too much — that leads to deficiency, exhaustion, and depletion. If you take too much — that leads to usury, gluttony, and greed. Don’t get me wrong, this is not about “good” or “bad.” It’s about equilibrium.
Let’s break this down. Eat your veggies, but have dessert too. Compromise, but let others meet you half way too. Exercise regularly, but rest guiltlessly too. Work, but make time for yourself and family too. Earn and spend money, but save and donate too. Play and be merry, but practice self-restraint too. Study, but take breaks too. Sleep, but be productive too. Drive, but walk too. Lead, but get comfortable with being led too. Listen, but speak-up too. Let others lean on you, but rely on others too. Socialize, but get comfortable with solitude too. Watch TV, but read a book too. Go to the party, but frequent your sanctuary too. Love others, but put yourself first too. Dance, but sit idle sometimes too. Keep trying, but know when to walk away too. Forgive and forget, but learn the lesson too. Go the distance, but keep in touch with home too. Live in the city, but hike in the woods too. Hold space for others, but emotionally support yourself too. Have ambition, but find contentment along the way too. Focus on the details, but keep the big picture in mind too. Stand in your convictions, but make room for others’ opinions too. Confide in others, but be discrete too. Trust, but vet too. Show compassion, but set boundaries too. Give, but be open to receive too. Most importantly, put intentional effort in the process, but let go of the outcome too.
Admittedly, striking a balance in life requires repeated, concerted attempts. But, once you learn this thrilling tight-rope technique—the walk gets much easier, less scarier, and becomes the preferred mode to live. Don’t worry about being perfectly balanced all the time or even sooner than later. I still wobble and sway. I’m still perfecting this craft every day — that’s part of the path. Whether you get there at 20 or 40, the greatest show on earth — that is life — must go on. And, the best part is — the high-wire act!
