Balance Is Active

A poem for the ones chasing the work-life balance

Photo by Gustavo Torres on Unsplash

We whisper the words aloud,
like a prayer or
a wish on a star or
a hope that lingers upon the clouds:
I need more balance in my life.
I want more balance in my life.
And too often,
we forget,
that balance is active.

Balance is finding the core
strength
to stay on top of that tightrope,
and not topple over on your bike,
and keep your head above the waves.

It’s holding tight onto the handles of
a seesaw,
and gingerly carrying
a dozen eggs as you ascend the subway stairs.

It’s finding time to drink your cup of coffee
and feed your baby
and somehow shower and bathe you both
in the process.

It’s remembering that you are a human
and not a machine,
and even though you want to be
everywhere and everything
all at once,
sometimes the balance is in staying right
where your feet are,
with wide eyes
and an open heart.

Balance is rooted in both stillness
and chaos,
in dreaming and gratitude,
in the love of others and love of self.

Balance is active.