Attaining balance generally happens through a series of tiny shifts, not in a grand moment of enlightenment. After all, when you’re trying to balance, any very large movement could easily land you on the floor. But even the smallest actions—say, brushing your teeth—can be part of building a balanced life.
What small action helps you to find balance?
A small but significant thing for me is to “get up and going” in the morning and then follow my usual route and open the front door, open the shades in the living/dining room, progress to the kitchen and finally open the door in the study. I feel a connection with the world outside that way! Whether it is winter, spring, summer or fall I seem to want to always look outside and feel the current climate and see if anything new has happened outside!? Usually no big surprise, but sometimes there is a weather surprise or a new song from a bird…for me to enjoy.
At 70, I have moved into a very small home to be near family. Instead of fretting over downsizing and reorganizing all at once, I have been focusing on doing small tasks daily, even hanging a single picture or going through a small box and either putting away or giving away the contents before tackling the next project. It may not seem much each day, but looking around and looking back, I realize that it’s amazing how much I have accomplished and how much pleasure I take in seeing my own “treasures” in their places. There is also pleasure in remembering how many things have gone to others, either family or strangers, and realizing that I do not regret a single decision. Balance can be found in taking time to think things through and tackling a large project or problem one small step at a time.