I speak to so many people including my internal self about trying to maintain balance. When coaching, it is one of the areas of life that clients are determined to crack. I have wrestled with this notion throughout my life. What I have learned in the past year is that it is never too late to rethink an old idea.
Life remains uncertain and the one thing we all know is that we have finite time to enjoy this world. So much of creating balance is a matter of perspective. Trying to manage time is an impossibility but using our time so most of it focuses on doing things that energise us is possible. Enjoying the here and now whatever that might look like is within our control, albeit we all have demands that we struggle to engage with. Balance is not a fixture somewhere out there, even if we find temporary balance external factors await in the shadows. I needed to think about this.
As the holidays approached and the sea welcomed all manner of human, those in playful mode and those with courageous spirit, I thought I would participate in the frolic. So, last weekend I went with my son and husband and the paddleboard-bought in a moment of madness and used once and headed to the beach. I was in tune with the day, we were aiming for a coastal breakfast to boost the energy. The sun shone and I was hopeful to create a bit of balance in at least one part of my day.
I had read somewhere that once you had ‘nailed’ the technique of paddle boarding all would be well. Oversimplification I thought, as that is true with any venture, like parenting, cooking, knitting, and reversing my car. None of those things are ‘nailed,’ despite my best efforts over years. But I was prepared to seek wisdom from the day.
I reduced the pressure and lowered my expectation. My Goal-Learn one thing from paddle boarding that helps to create balance in my life.
I would know I had been successful, if I arrived home without injury, had been able to go one step further than last time, which meant I had to focus on the horizon and be prepared to stand, and if I had laughed at least ten times-at myself, or others, I wasn’t precious about that!
Breakfast eaten, and so, to the wetsuits, incredibly hard to get on, impossible for one member of the crew. Laughter. Into the sea, and we are swimming, floundering on to the board, elegant. Laughter. Husband in true Charlie Chaplin style manages to stand, so quickly ‘nailing’ a technique of sorts, and up, oooh, oooh, ooh, in spectacular style, overboard. Laughter.
Okay my turn, on to the board, now that was smooth, on to my knees, look to the horizon, look to the horizon, I looked to the horizon. No time for laughing at others now, this is getting serious, gently get to know the paddle, make friends with the board, show some respect. And here goes – up of sorts, core muscles engaged, look to the horizon, know the paddle, respect the board, wobbling now, lost the paddle, cannot look to the horizon, the paddle is not there. Make friends with the board, internal chatter irritating me, back in your box, chimp, laughter all around. Back on to my knees. Paddle found, thank you, son and try again! I did not reach the sublime state achieved by those who have ‘nailed’ it, but I was marginally better than last time, had so much fun and discovered that even if you struggle to maintain balance, but your motivation is realistic and your attitude is positive there are benefits to be had, even when the waves take your paddle.
Benefitting from laughter-Medicine for the soul, a reduction of stress, improved mood and energy, an ability to create and find another way when all else fails, exercise for the diaphragm, the face, legs, back and stomach. Hang on a minute, you mean that you do not really need to go to the gym or the sea and work out, you just need to laugh at others working out and then go home! Already my equilibrium is settling nicely, and I feel a sense of proportion returning-laughter leading to balance. Perfect.
