Another quote from a yoga teacher

Source

"Balance is not about not moving. It's about being flexible when change comes." ~ Hazel Patterson

Isn't this the opposite of how us organized, Western, choice-laden types think about balance? Whenever anyone talks about the importance of balancing one's life (work, home, community, faith, etc.), I always envision creating the perfect schedule each week with precisely allotted times for each type of activity. The formula for deciding how much time to give each person and endeavor has remained a frustrating and elusive mystery. 

Tonight balancing on one foot in tree pose, I imagined the freedom of adjusting and adapting to my circumstances instead of trying to plan them (i.e. control them) beforehand. Perhaps this is what people are trying to convey when they glibly spout: "Expect the unexpected!" 

Groceries wilt in the fridge, Craigslist doesn't actually list every apartment available, husbands snore*, and traffic is more than a default excuse for tardiness. Little plans change frequently and life plans change more often than I would like. Healthy balance can look like swaying, toes spread wide, rib cage lifted, and hands pressed gently.


*Disclaimer: the mild and inconsistent sounds emanating from my model are not to be construed as the source material for this example.