Have you ever found yourself in this “out of balance” predicament: You’re out of your routine (and maybe your environment). You experience a misstep, skip a workout or enjoy an indulgent meal that is not a part of your healthy eating plan. Within no time you begin to worry. Next you discover yourself in a goo of guilt and self-loathing because, in your mind, you have failed to operate flawlessly. Really? Flawlessly?
Did you forget the mantra we’ve been practicing for the past two weeks?
So what’s really happening here?
I’m guessing that somewhere along the way you may have assumed that you must surrender choice to circumstance and from that assumption (really a choice itself upon closer examination), watched helplessly as your out-of-balance self (clamoring to regain equilibrium) activated your default position of worry and then dove mindlessly into that virtual soup of blame and guilt.
And I’m suggesting to you today that there’s a way to break this vicious cycle that is the enemy of balance. If you are game, get ready to strap on your powerful weapon of choice the next time you step into the wilderness that exists just beyond your familiar backyard of routine.
Here’s an example of how it works for me. Lately I’ve been traveling . . . A LOT. In fact, I’ve been home 26 of the last 80 days. And when I leave home I have a “pack three” rule for balance. Here are three things I choose never leave home without:
1. The intent to adapt happily.
I know that when my environment and schedule change I will have to do things differently and I state my intent (and make a plan) to adapt. A prime example for me is fitness. Personal fitness is an important part of my daily routine. When traveling, I investigate gyms and running trails as much as possible before I leave home. I set out with a fitness plan and set my intent to enjoy the experience of what is different about my workouts. I make it a point to be cheerful along the way. Not only do I know that smile is a huge energy booster, I also can pretty much guarantee that each time I give a smile away, I’ll get one back (now that’s a balanced equation).
2. The awareness to let go of worry.
I know that worry, for me, generates no positive energy. In fact, I view worry as a soul-sucking hitchhiker that I choose to leave along the highway. It’s not that I don’t experience worry. I do. However, I have developed an “awareness muscle” that I flex to shrug it off. I know that worry does not carry action forward for me and so I CHOOSE not to stay in worry. It’s amazing how packing this element actually lightens my load.
3. Grace.
Experience informs me that despite my best laid plans and an ability to adapt without worry, that I still can go to that place of “beating oneself up” over two days of missed workouts combined with business dinners where I’ve enjoyed more food and drink than is normal for me. And that’s when I dip my hand into the jar marked “grace,” and generously spread it on. Note that the jar is not marked “excuse”, “permission to surrender to circumstance” or “pity.” It is “grace”. Grace is my cue to accept, forgive, pause and consider my next steps of choice. After all, each moment bears the promise of a new beginning delivered by the choices I make.
So, when I look at “what’s in my wallet,” there is not a Capital One Credit Card – and in fact recently, given all of my travel and switched wallets, there wasn’t even the photo ID required to get on an airplane! And awkward as that misstep was, the three things I had remembered to pack got me through security and home again. True story . . . ask me about it.
By packing my trusty three essentials, I choose to create my own balance. How are you creating yours?
