Finding Balance

I saw a good movie years ago with Keanu Reeves called "Little Buddha" it tells the story of how a rich prince after encountering suffering for the first time began a quest for "enlightenment". The prince went to extremes in search for awakened presence. While living with ascetic hermits for a long period of time, going Au Natural (discard to personal hygine) for months on end, he saw and heard a man playing a string instrument in a boat traveling down the river. Watching and listening this man create beautiful music from his string instrument the prince came to this awareness: "If the strings are too tight they will break and music will be lost. If the strings are too slack no sound can be produced."

On my journey I am discovering the wisdom of this profound truth. Too much exercrise with little fuel and sleep results in painful injury causing my body and spirit to break down. Too stringent a diet with no execrise and strecething puts my body and soul into starvation mode depleting me physically and emotionally.

For me the awareness to do inner and outer work is finding the courage to let my soul sing through engaged abundant living. Abundant living is not limited to wealth and material things, I have none (although it would be nice to experience those things),for me, aabundant living is integrated living where I LOVE the person I see in the mirror imperfections and all.

I did not have good balance as young boy, I would tip over and fall easily. My sister and brother had a natural balance so much so that  they took to riding a bike like a bird takes to soaring through the air. Unfortunately my experience of learning how to ride was much different!! I fell numerous times trying to find my balance to ride.  After a  more than what felt like a thousand painful falls and crashes  I reached my breaking point, throwing my bike down in defeat desapair,  never to attempt to ride again. But,  my great-grandmother, who paid good money for that bike was determined I was going to ride even if it killed me!!! After scolding me she gave me words to live by that I will never forget:  "Never let anything conquer, you you conquer it" After drying my eyes and dusting my self off for the thousandth time, I got back on my bike found my balance and began to ride.

There are times on my journey when everything is working well and there are times when everything feels like it is falling apart. However I remember the lessons of the prince and my great grandmother:  to be present in the moment,  accept life as it comes,  while remaining open,  to achieve balance.

If you took the time to read this, It is my heart's desire that you continue to find balance in your life.

Peace & Blessings On Your Journey :)