Balance on A Budget

For most of my life, I've struggled with balance. Literally speaking, I never learned to skateboard as a child, I'm a danger to myself and others on the ice, and let's just say that I'm perfectly happy that cameras were uncommon back in 1976, the one time I tried to surf. Less literally though more significantly, balancing life's demands has always been a challenge for me: school versus work, parenting versus work, partnerships/relationships versus work, health/fitness versus work; and you wouldn't be wrong if you've sensed a theme.

When I first started working at age seventeen, a rural and isolated childhood characterized by limited esteem was almost immediately supplanted by a sense of success; work friends, money and recognition for a job well done. From that point on, everything else in my life took a backseat to work. It made perfect sense, too, as my father had worked seven days a week throughout most of my formative years. When other demands arose ̶ college/grad school, a second job ̶ I also did what my dad had done, focusing on work and additional responsibilities at the expense of family and friends.

It's taken me most of my adult life to realize that hard work and singleness of focus untempered by thoughtfulness and love is a recipe for regrets. Life is complex and control is often illusory, a lesson that ̶ had I learned it earlier in life ̶ might have helped me balance the importance of people and health over eventually disappointing career aspirations. To quote the great American philosopher, Dr. Seuss:

“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act.”

While I'd be disingenuous if I said I've finally mastered a balanced life, the recent blessings of grand-fatherhood and being a WW Wellness Coach have at least increased the day-to-likelihood that I'll think before I step... Rather than stepping because that's what I've always done. Which brings me to the impetus for today's thoughts: aspiring towards greater balance ̶ with forethought but on a budget ̶ amidst the realities of a global pandemic.

Heart

Like many underappreciated gifts, our hearts are key to living a balanced life. Without healthy hearts, we lack the stamina that life's [hopefully]long journey requires. A healthy heart also supports a heightened metabolism that can lead to reduced body fat and greater overall health. Being an avid walker who ̶ because of the impending winter and pandemic-inspired concerns with public gyms ̶ soon won't have anywhere to walk, heart health was top-of-mind when designing a home gym to compliment my home office. After much research[forethought], my home gym now includes a refurbished[on a budget] and warranteed addition from a well-reviewed supplier.

Strength

I previously alluded to the illusory nature of control, a concept often equated with strength. While it's true that I'll never be strong enough to overcome any challenge, regular strength training benefits range of motion and mobility while building muscle mass that helps burn calories. Recognizing that public gyms are filled with large and often expensive strength training options, the home gym solution I opted for is space-friendly, uses my own weight for resistance and has satisfied many health-conscious consumers.

Mind

Something I probably mention too often in the WW meetings I lead is the importance of “the most important muscle in our bodies”, as I then point to my own head. Though the reference is tongue and cheek, our mindset influences every aspect of our lives, heightening the importance of pleasant aesthetics and atmosphere in any environment focused on enhanced health and wellness.

Balance, Revisited

Again, I don't claim to have mastered balance in my life; nor am I deluded enough to think that I'll ever be free of missteps or a host of other human failings. That said though, the concept of our lives as a journey elevates the importance of every small step, and making every small step count. To quote another philosopher, Lao Tzu, who preceded Dr. Seuss by a few millennia but also appreciate the importance of small steps:

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”