Balance occurs where there is an even distribution of energy. Too often we over-focus on one aspect of our lives to the detriment of others. The classic case, of course, is becoming too work-focused, neglecting our leisure, relationships, and health.
But this is just one example. Whenever we neglect any area of our life we come out of balance with the whole which our life is comprised of.
The primary source of imbalance in our lives is our addiction to productivity and ‘doing’. From a young age we are subtly schooled in the idea that inactivity, idleness, and leisure is laziness – and laziness is vice. Our capitalist ethic scorns anyone who is not busy being productive, making money, contributing to the economy. We can witness this in societal attitudes towards the un-employed and those who are perceived to be slacking off or not working hard.
Yet this way of being is a complete perversion of human nature. For the largest part of human history, in which our brains and bodies evolved, we lived in hunter-gatherer societies where a substantial part of the day was spent at rest or in ‘non-productive leisure’. Our modern obsession with incessant busy-ness – all noise, action, and stimulation – is extremely unhealthy. We need rest, we need relaxation, we need quiet time, time just to be, reflect, and do nothing. And I don’t just mean on holidays, nor for a part of the weekend, but every day.
This is the primary source of imbalance in our culture. But if we look at our lives and examine the different aspects of our lives we might find a lot that is out of whack.
Perhaps we are not eating well because we feel we don’t have the time; have neglected certain friendships; no longer make time for certain hobbies, passions, or leisure pursuits; aren’t exercising; have neglected a creative project we started; let our personal affairs and money fall into disarray; have a load of things around the house that needs doing that we are procrastinating on; haven’t taken action on our ambition to change career path – whatever it is the same principle applies: In order to find balance and harmony in our lives we need to take care of all the different parts of our lives giving each the attention and energy they require.
In our day-to-day life balance means variety and change. It means getting fresh air; moving your body; taking time to eat without distraction; relaxed conversation; getting out into nature; listening to music; meditating. It means alternating activities between active and calm – some moments and activities require a lot of energy and exertion, but those must be followed by a period of rest and recuperation if we are not to drive the body into the red.
Our behaviour and activity throughout the day should complement and support each other, and support us by providing different ways of building and expressing energy. Too much calmness and inactivity may lead to listlessness which, at the other extreme, throws us out of balance.
We need stimulation in order to build vitality and creativity, but equally, we also need to rest and regenerate resources if we are to continue to be effective. True satisfaction is found in the happy medium, not too much of any way of being, not too little, but just right.
The first step, as always, is becoming aware of this. Once we see the need for change we can then go about setting some goals in these areas and look to improve. Focusing on one area at a time, taking one step at a time, we can gradually begin to bring our lives back into balance again.