Balance… life balance to be specific! People write books about it, corporations have conferences about how to create it, and yet it seems to remain as elusive as Bigfoot!
When I take inventory of my life, and then interject the concept of balance, it makes me look at things very differently than I used to before I realized that the pursuit of happiness almost creates a natural balance.
Take a look at this rock! It's huge! I came across this mammoth stone as I was mountain biking in Allamuchy State Park during my mid-day break. As I rode up onto it, I couldn't help but think of it as a symbol. An enormous amount of density, balanced on a small surface area, lightly supported by some tiny trees. Sometimes life feels like that enormous rock! How the hell can you balance something like that??, yet there it stands, balanced in nature.
I also thought that showing you this rock would relate well to our new wall of goals. When I sat on my bike and looked at that rock, I thought to myself how some of my goals feel huge… insurmountable or almost unachievable. As I studied the saplings that were balancing that huge stone, I thought to myself that anything is possible… it starts at the roots!
So, um, yes… I did say "mid-day break"… a break long enough to ride in the woods for 1-2 hours (enough time to get lost, and still be on time for the gym!). I realize we all don't have that luxury, and I don't write this to brag or boast about it.. instead it is a testimony to what balance has created for me, and what it can create for you.
In my pursuit of happiness, I found balance. In mastering a passion, it has afforded me the ability to naturally create time and live very happily off of less money, understanding the value of happiness and love. I have time to continue to remain passionate about my career… time to dedicate to personal development… time to dedicate to my family… almost "enough time" for everything and everyone! I say almost because the reality is that we all have to work, and we need money to live, therefore, time spent working, developing ideas and skills sometimes tips the scales a bit out of balance!
The concept of working to live… or living to work is misunderstood, in my opinion. Instead, maybe your life should be your work… your life's work!
When I saw this rock, it was clear to me I needed to communicate this post! In nature, we find balance… it's almost like the natural order of things. Huge stones balancing in places that make you wonder how it happened, and how it is possible! Well, sometimes I feel the same way about the balance in my life… with the exception that I can pinpoint when and why it happened, when it's going awry… and how I can regain the balance!
It's not about work-life balance… it's about making life your work… your life's work!
Heading back to our wall of goals and benchmarks…
… remember the pictures of these rocks! Nothing is impossible, and whether you believe things to be possible or impossible for you, you're right!! Key word there is "believe"!
Set your goals! Pursue them as you would pursue happiness in your life! You won't be disappointed!… but remember… it took time for these rocks to balance on their perches!
Yours in Fitness,
~cpj
Great read cpj 🙂
Thanks for perspective and reminder!
5# extra on the barbell is sometimes like that huge stone!
Great reading! Great symbolism!
The pebble! I ran past it last week and had to stop for a few minutes and admire it.
I 💛 the yellow trail.
I have been where that beauty exists and I feel very fortunate to have done so. I love the perspective and I will embrace that too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!