I went for an actual run on the road yesterday. After my self-imposed two-week running hiatus, I cannot begin to tell you how good it felt to run outside in the sunshine and brisk, December air, rather than staring at a monitor on the elliptical machine. My steps were a little bit tentative at first, testing out my hip to see how it would hold up.
I consulted a running guru several weeks ago to see what I could learn from her. My friend, one of the most accomplished runners I know, and several years older than me, told me to work on strengthening my ankles and calves.
My problem is in my hip, I protested. “I know“, she said. That ended the conversation. When this woman talks, I listen, so I have been working on strengthening my ankles and calves. She was right. As I aged, my gait developed into more of a shuffle than a stride. I wasn’t rolling my foot, pushing off with my toes. I was running flat-footed. My hip suffered as a result.
After my run, as I sat in the locker room preparing for my shower, I was so thankful and relieved, I almost cried. No pain in my hip as I ran and no pain today. It pays to listen.
I wrote a post several months ago about a new practice I began. Every morning I sit quietly for 10 minutes and listen with an open heart and open mind. I don’t know what I am listening for, but still, I listen.
In all the months of practice, I had not heard anything earth-shattering, just my own breathing. The 10 minutes of peace and quiet, where I silence my ever-present internal narrator, has been its own reward.
Last week, I made a plea before I meditated, “Give me something to focus on for the coming year, something to think about, something to work on, a word, a phrase, something.” I must have sounded desperate because my plea was answered, but not in the way I expected.
I was expecting to hear something, instead, an image popped into my mind. Yes, that image. It was a plank of wood teetering on the tip of a triangle. “What in the world…?” I thought, but within seconds I answered my own question. It was a one-word answer: “Balance“.
“Balance” is my word, my topic, my focus. To say that I was underwhelmed is not an exaggeration. I was hoping for something exciting and sexy, like “Grit” or “Fortitude” or even “Exuberance“.
“Balance” reminded me of that cereal that looks and tastes like sawdust. You eat it because it’s good for you. “Balance” is cottage cheese, turnips, plain white bread, boring.
I was never very good at balance. I am subject to wild flights of fancy, either feverishly enthusiastic about a project or not interested at all. Hot or cold.
In yoga, my friend will not place her mat next to mine if we take a class together. When the instructor calls balance poses such as tree pose or dancer pose, I constantly wiggle, wobble, and eventually tip to one side or the other. I am a contagious distraction when it comes to balance.
Why, I wondered, would I be asked to focus on a topic in which I am so obviously lacking proficiency? Then I got it…why would I work on something at which I am already competent? Balance is a challenge.
The more I thought about it, the more passion I developed for the topic of balance. Life is full of many push-pull dilemmas. Even something as simple as maintaining a healthy weight involves balance – the calories you take in must equal the calories you expend, or your weight is out of balance.
Finding a balance between professional and family life is important. Many families have fallen apart because one or both spouses could not find that balance. We want to do a thorough job, without becoming consumed with our career. This middle ground was difficult for me to find when I taught. I often worked 60 or 70 hour weeks, putting stress not only on myself but my family too.
When we give love, we must discover balance between obsession and indifference. When our children are young, they depend on us for everything – food, shelter, safety, transportation, entertainment. As they get older, they need us less, and we must learn how to let go. When we hold on too tightly, our relationships are out of balance.
The same principle holds true for romantic love. We must give our loved ones room to breathe. Not every second can be spent together, looking into each others’ eyes and proclaiming our love for one another, but too many relationships have succumbed to apathy. We must let our loved ones know just how valued they are.
Finally, we must seek balance in how we practice our faith. Many of us look to faith as the source of our values. It gives our lives meaning and purpose. We look forward to “a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells“, but right now, we live on this imperfect earth. It is our responsibility to bring God’s light to this world.
We are called to treat our fellow humans with dignity, compassion, respect, and kindness. It is our holy obligation to protect and defend the most vulnerable members of society. We must be good stewards of our earth and all its denizens. We must practice balance.
So…balance. It is my focus for the coming year. I still don’t think that it will be an easy undertaking, especially with my hip on the mend as it seems to be. Balance in my running life may be overcome by exhilaration.
Balance is, however, sounding just a little bit sexier.
I am linking up with Jessica and Amy at Live Life Well, Fairytales and Fitness for Friday 5, Susan B Mead for Dancing With Jesus, Spiritual Sundays for Welcome, Embracing the Unexpected for Grace and Truth, and The Blended Blog for Friday Loves,.
Balance is a challenge! I always go back to what I learned in yoga. Just breathe and it will come.
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Yes, so true! I often go back to that ujjayi breathing when I need balance. I forgot about that!
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Balance is an amazing word for the new year. Balance is super hard and I don’t know anyone who is proficient at it. I am learning actually very slowly on saying no or cutting back on something because it creates a disbalance in my life. I crave balance and contentment and am definitely working towards that as well.
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We can work on it together this year! I plan to post updates on my thoughts about balance throughout the year.
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This is wonderful (and even the running tip resonates for these flat feet!), and balance is so elusive you’ll have all kinds of fun chasing that word in 2019!
I also wanted to tell you that Walter Bruegemann was featured in an interview with Krista Tippett in On Being yesterday. I might not have noticed if not for your recent quotes from him. I added Prophetic Imagination to my Want to Read list for 2019.
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Thank you for the tip, Michele. I will try to look up the interview. I have another Bruegemann quote that I am saving for future use too!
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I am so glad to hear that you were able to run without pain yesterday. My word from last year was balance. It’s a good one! Not always easy for me. I tend to be an all or nothing person myself. I even thought about using it again this year but have not decided yet.
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Thank you, Deborah. It has been a long painful few months. Maybe you can give me some tips on balance, although that might be cheating! 🙂
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Balance is HARD! And it’s a great word to focus on. I think it’s much like yoga — it’s a practice. Some days you’ll get it, and some days you’ll just fall over.
I like to meditate in the morning, too, although I don’t sit in silence, I use guided meditations.
Of course it’s a real buzz kill when your husband lets the dog out of the bedroom while you’re meditating, and he stays comfy in bed while I have to go let her out (because if I wait for him, it’ll be too late for our poor carpets).
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I used to use guided meditations. I like them, but I like just sitting in silence too. I once read about the RMP method of meditating – Ries. Pee. Meditate. Maybe that “pee” goes for the dog too! So glad to read that Gizmo continues to improve (or at least stabilize).
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Gizmo is a lot better — thank you for thinking of him. Sometimes I just plain meditate, but I must admit it’s rare. Something about listening to someone guiding me just relaxes me more.
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Looks like the universe has handed you a very clear assignment 🙂 And I’m delighted to hear you were able to get back to the running you so love, without pain in your hip. Here’s to a blessedly balanced new year!
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Yes. The universe handed me an assignment. The problem is, I am never sure if I heard the universe correctly! 🙂 Hoping to find balance in the new year!
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Yay for no hip pain! I know how crusial strength training is to running and yet I continue to put it off.
Thanks for linking up!
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I have so much fun at Body Pump class. I hate to miss it! Thanks for the opportunity to link!
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I love this post. My son is a runner as well, so you had me right from the start. But balance. It is something alluring and always seems just out of my reach. Hoping you share more throughout the year. Thanks for linking up with Grace and Truth.
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Thank you, Heather. I plan to share periodically throughout the year my thoughts on balance. Thanks also for the opportunity to share!
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Balance is a wonderful choice of focus, It can be applied to so many different areas of our life. I need to be reminded of the critical nature of balance in my own life too, so thanks. 🙂
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Thank you, Lisa. Balance is the perfect thing for me to focus on during the coming year.
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Glad you were able to run and enjoyed it!
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Thank you, Patrick. I did enjoy the run!
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I loved this post. Some people seem over-confident about what God wants them to do. I’m always wondering if I got the message right. I ask for guidance, do what I think is needed, and watch to see how God will use my efforts. I should be used to it by now, but God nearly always magnifies His answers to me.
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Yes, I agree. I am never confident that I got the message the way I am supposed to. I guess I will see during the coming year. Thank you for your comment!
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What a great word for the year. Mine is Dance.
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Oooh! Yours is great! I have word envy! 🙂
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You could use it too after all, there is balance in dance 🙂
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Balance is tough to achieve…but, as you said, that makes it a perfect goal to strive towards. Glad to hear your run went so well!!!
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Thank you! Yes, balance is a good goal, especially for runners!
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I think that is am amazing word Laurie given by the Word Himself!
It is also a balancing act isn’t it with all you have mentioned above, otherwise it skews.
It has been lovely to get to know you this year. 😀
Merry Christmas,
Jennifer
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It has been lovely for me to get to know you too, Jennifer. Merry Christmas to you!
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Balance is a funny mantra for a runner. As a group, we have to be the least balance people alive. I could use a little balance right now as well.
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It’s so true. Most of us have at least a slight obsession with running. Mine is more than slight.
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Wonderful words of wisdom and thanks for the advice on strengthen your ankles and rolling your foot. Since surgery, I was not allowed to roll my foot when I first started walking so I need to remember to do that or I will end up walking like a penguin. Have a great Christmas.
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Haha! Great visual – walking like a penguin! You have a great Christmas too, Anita!
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I love this! Balance has been a struggle for me — some months are better than others. Shoot, some DAYS are better than others. It’s a process. I’m definitely gonna keep that picture in mind, though…
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It has been a struggle for me too. That’s why it would be a good thing for me to work on, I guess! 🙂
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I’m so happy you were able to run pain free! Balance is a great thing to strive for. It’s probably something just about everyone struggles with.
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Thank you. Yes, I think runners especially need to work on balance.
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I’m happy for you Laurie that your running guru gave you a solution – you will go forward, enjoying your run, without limitations, and without worry that you are further damaging your hip. Consulting her was the best present you could give yourself. Bill has already given himself a present this year, and beyond, and you as well, as you begin a new phase of your life … balance will play an important role as well, but look at what is down the pipeline for you … many good things on the horizon.
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Thank you, Linda. I certainly hope that good things are down the road for us. Heide is the running guru I was referring to. I wrote about her earlier this year. She just ran a marathon 1 day after her 80th birthday. She is an amazing woman!
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That is amazing Laurie to be 80 and still so full of vim and vigor. She sure is something to aspire to be like and she counselled you on a “fix” for your hip … too bad you didn’t consult her earlier. Go ahead and book all those marathons in 2019 and I think there was one in 2020, if you have not done so already!
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I love this post!
Balance is so important. And so hard to achieve. You’re reminding me, I used to do simple balancing exercises (nothing as complicated as you do in yoga!) and I should get back to doing them.
I’m glad you were able to run without pain!
Love and light…
Happy new year 🙂
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Thank you for your good wishes, Eliza. I find that as I get older, maintaining my balance (both figuratively and literally) is harder to do. Happy New Year to you too! 🙂
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Happy new year 🙂 For real now!
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I Love this Post!
Firstly, for the good news you can now overcome and manage your hip injury – consulting the Guru was a flash of inspiration! 🙂 (Just knowing isn’t enough though – listening to them and changing what you to to fit and follow up with is where perspiration is required – the doing (correctly) takes effort.) 😉 Keep up the good work! 🙂
Balance will indeed be a challenge – as it is for all of us finding the ‘right one’ for us.
It’s a tricky word/concept/philosophy all in one. (In One… see what i did there??)
We both balance on the ‘tipping point’ between two extremes so that we don’t become too fanatical by moving too far either ‘way’, and we find the right balance between spending our time on a basket of activities such as caring for family, working, relaxing, exercising, sleeping and perhaps listening to our inner Spirit as it waits patiently for our real world voices to keep quiet for a moment and we just ‘listen’. :-).
Finding the right balance as opposed to ‘a’ balance is complicated if we are not able to clearly define one or both extreme end points. (That’s the mathematicin in me coming out).
If we lean too far one way or the other we risk being pulled from our balance and ‘falling down’. The same if other ‘forces’ are acting upon us that we do not fully account for.
One part of a comment you made grabbed my attention in particular: ‘…hot or cold’, not so much about temperature as about temper-ament. I looked up Rev 3:16 ‘To the Church in Laodicea’ :
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
(vs 14-22 give a little context)
It seems to say we should be of single mind rather than being in the middle on some things – i expect spiritually in particular – so perhaps finding a balance is not for all things? We cannot follow God and Mammon, finding a middle path between the two, we have to chose a side sometimes and give it our 100%, rather than 50/50.
I look forward to seeing where this challenge takes you next year and hopefully being able to both gain from and contribute something to it.
Prayers for you and your family for Christmas time and for the New Year too. 🙂
love, Bob.
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Your comments reminded me (for some reason) of when I used to teach equilibrium in chemistry class. Equilibrium occurs when the “forward” chemical reaction is occurring at the same rate as the “reverse” reaction.
The individual molecules are still reacting, but overall there is no net change. That’s the concept that I think I need to shoot for when I search for balance. Balance, to me, does not mean static.
You can also shift the equilibrium to one side or the other – the products or the reactants. Equilibrium doesn’t have to be right in the middle. It can mean that the products are favored 99.99%, or the reactants are favored by 99.99%.
So, while this concept brings out the mathematician in you, it brings out the chemist in me! 🙂
I (think I) understand the warning about being “lukewarm” in Revelations, and I certainly don’t want to fall into that trap. I think balance can include being more “hot” or “cold”. Being lukewarm is not appealing. As a runner, I would never shoot for lukewarm. I can’t imagine making that a goal in life either.
Thank you for making me think this year, Bob. So glad to have met you through blogging. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
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And Likewise! 🙂
Equilibrium is a concept i fully embrace – Chemistry was my favourite subject in High School and was my first year of a B.Sc in University (Organic + inorganic)
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I may have to save those ideas for a blog post in the new year!
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Very good word for the year!
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Thank you. I hope I can improve my balance this year! 🙂
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Being around you is a huge encouragement for me to get off the sofa and start moving!
And I’m a huge life balance fan so thanks for putting this subject on the table as we head into the end of the year.
I’m so grateful that our pathways have crossed in recent months!
Merry Christmas to you, to yours…
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Thank you, Linda. Your comment is so kind. I am so grateful to have met you this year. Merry Christmas to you too! 🙂
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Balance can definitely be a challenge, but it’s important so it sounds like a good focus for the year. I’m glad you managed to run outside without pain. Hope you have a lovely Christmas!
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Thank you, Lesley. Hope you have a Merry Christmas too!
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This resonates so well! Especially with one year coming to a close and another looming before us. Thank you for your thoughtful words.
—
http://www.areweadultsyet.com
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Thank you! I am excited to focus on balance in 2019!
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Laurie, I am looking forward to your Balance adventures in 2019. The words we choose to focus on can pull us forward onto new paths. Who knows where this will lead you?
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Thank you, Ali. I am looking forward to exploring “balance” in 2019.
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I’m so happy that listening to your friend’s advice is resulting in pain-free runs. It’s been a long time coming for you.
I think balance is something most of us need to work on, and in most aspects of our lives. Here’s to bringing more balance into our lives in 2019!
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Thank you! Running is actually still a work in progress for me. I have good days and bad days. I look forward to working on balance in 2019!
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I love how you worked your way to your word for the upcoming year. Have you read the book “One Word that Will Change Your Life” by Britton, Page, and Gordon? It’s a fun and quick read and reminds me of your post today. Interesting about the calves and ankle connection – I’ve been feeling the desire to run flat-footed with age too, so I’m going to try some calf and ankle strengthening to see if it helps me too. But, after I take one more day off from running to eat more cookies…! Best wishes for a year full of balance opportunities!
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I have never read the book, but I will check it out. Thank you for the recommendation! I have found that the ankle and calf strengthening is really making a difference. Funny how I never noticed it until someone else pointed it out to me. I have one more day of sloth too. Tomorrow hubby and I are doing a 5-mile race that we do almost every year. Happy New Year, Shelley!
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Hope you had a wonderful New Year’s Eve and this year is full of Joy, Jogging and Jubilation! 🙂
Happy New Year, Laurie.
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We did have a wonderful New Year’s Eve. Hope you did too and that your year is full of flowers, photography, and philosophy! 🙂 Happy New Year!
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NYE was good and i ‘let the New Year in’ the house and was welcomes with a mince pie and glass of milk! 🙂
Did you catch my kept promise? (FOTD Dec 24)
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Haha! I just did! Thank you!!!
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Great post Laura. Balance ah, is something we all seek, in all aspects of our life – looking forwards to reading more of this quest in 2019 – so on that note have a great year ahead 🙂
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Thank you, Rory! Good to hear from you! 🙂 Happy New Year.
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I love this! I’m new to meditation and I love reading about it. I’m more inspired to do so after I’ve read this! Thank you! And have a great year! 🙂
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Thank you so much for your kind comment! You have a great year too.
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I understand what you mean about balance–it is so tough! I’m the type who is working on *something* (usually several “somethings”) around the clock or does nothing at all. Not much middle ground.
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Balance is so important, so this is a great goal. Ecclesiastes 4:6 “Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of hard work and chasing after the wind.” You’ll find so much more fulfillment and joy when life is balanced.
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That is a great Scripture quote for me to study. I tend to do “Two handfuls of hard work”. Thank you, Heather!
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