Finding balance

On my mother’s kitchen wall is a small framed illustration of a turtle with a Japanese saying that roughly translates to, “You don’t have to struggle and push through, but don’t give up.”

Initially, this seemed like lukewarm inspiration to go after dreams and goals. After all, doesn’t common wisdom say we should always be giving it our 110% effort? No excuses? No pain, no gain? If you’re being lazy, I would say yes. All these sayings apply.

BUT, when life throws curve balls, a gentler approach will take you further in the long run. In times of sickness, grief, transition, and burn-out, let go of the resistance to whatever you are facing, and simply allow the current to carry you. It’s not giving-up. It’s surrendering the struggle.

There are times that call for our best effort – to push through the burn, as my swim coach used to say.  And, there are other times, where it’s enough just to go slow and stay the course. This is the true art to finding balance.