Is Striving For Balance Weighing You Down? (Try Settling Into Harmony Instead)
I’m not striving for balance in my life. I find myself drawn, instead, toward harmony.
The notion of balance, via the cultural conditioning most of us have come by so honestly, tends to get us up into our heads, putting our controlling, certainty-fixated selves at the wheel pushing, doing, trying, striving toward something (usually something “out there”).
Aiming toward some black-and-white notion of what an illusory fixed goal of “balance” looks like in our minds.
Striving for balance often stirs up dust of guilt, shame and overwhelm, freezing us in our tracks before we’ve been able to get any real positive momentum rolling.
Harmony, on the other hand, feels like a homecoming.
Like a return to a restful center point within ourselves.
Harmony feels easeful and simple. Pleasant and natural.
I came across this Merriam-Webster definition of harmony: “A pleasing arrangement of parts: Congruence.”
That “pleasing arrangement of parts” within ourselves — that sense of internal congruence — is what gives harmony its peaceful resonance.
When we’re in a harmonious state, we’re able to go with the flow. We’re able to both accept what life is handing us in a given moment and respond, adapt or shift gears when appropriate.
When the various parts of ourselves are in harmonious congruence, we’re able to move through the world with ease and grace. And, paradoxically, yes, to move through life in a more balanced way, too.
And when we’re feeling harmoniously attuned within ourselves, we’re of course also able to tune into others we encounter on our path with greater peace and kindness.
How about you? How does “harmony” resonate within you?
Here’s wishing you a sense of deep congruence amongst all your various lovably human parts.
And if you’re craving support as you peel back any layers that have been blocking that sense of internal harmony, I’d love to chat about working together. Reply to this email or check out my current coaching offerings here.
Lots of Love,