The Fall Equinox is halfway between the year's longest and shortest days. The sun and moon provide nearly equal amounts of light and darkness. Nature finds the balance we seem to always strive for. Since the summer solstice in June, the days have slowly and consistently gotten shorter, one moment at a time, a reminder that we can bring balance into our lives with steady and consistent effort, one moment at a time. The balance between work and play, achieving and receiving, holding on and letting go, and the balance between effort and ease.
Too often, we think of our bodies as machines, expected to go without regard at the whim of our thoughts or others. We pack the day full of activity without sufficient downtime, and our nervous system becomes overwhelmed. Over time, our energy stores become depleted, leaving us susceptible to frustration, resentment, and a compromised immune system. Our bodies and nervous systems require downtime to reset from the day's activities. The balance of effort and ease is a life necessity we cannot afford to live without.
It is a false notion that creating balance requires time. We can balance effort and ease in every moment by inviting in mindfulness and awareness. By tuning into the breath, our connection to the earth, where our body is in space, noticing the colors of the world around us, & taking in the sounds both near and far. We can do this while doing the dishes, driving to and from errands, and laundry. Every moment and every task is an opportunity to be present with the unfolding of life. We do not need to reserve mindfulness and awareness for the yoga mat and meditation cushion.
So, I invite you to smooth out the edges of the busyness of your life one mindful moment at a time, notice your breath and your connection to the earth, and tell the critical voice in your head that demands more from you, no, not now. By doing so, you will naturally find the balance between effort and ease.
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