I start most days with a little yoga. This morning while standing on one leg in tree pose, I was reminded of the power and importance of balance. Finding balance within the pose became an analogy for creating balance in my life. When I remembered to stay focused in the moment, to breathe, to trust and to relax, I felt centered -- not too far left or right, not too far forward or back. Balance seemed effortless. When I forgot to stay focused in the moment, when I held my breath, tensed, strained or struggled, I began to wobble -- left, right, forward, back. Balance seemed beyond me. That's true about my life, too. When I invest my energy in struggle and strain, I loose my balance. When I give too much energy out (lean to the right) or when I receive too little energy back in (lean to the left), I loose balance. When I direct my energy toward past regrets (lean back) or toward future worries (lean forward), I loose balance. Achieving and maintaining balance seems to be one of those very simple but not so easy choices that have the power to transform the quality of life...one moment at a time. So, whether finding my balance in tree pose or creating balance in my life, every day I practice and every day I make progress staying present to each moment and feeling this truth -- this balance -- to my core:
I am the loved...and I am the loving.
I am the blessed...and I am the blessing.
I am the healed...and I am the healing.
I am...and so are you. May today be a day of balance.