Words of Wisdom
February 11, 2020
“Squeeze your core,” and “keep your head up” were two common phrases that this not so talented childhood gymnast heard from her coaches when trying to master skills on the balance beam. When my footing was off, or fear of going backward was sky high, I wobbled and fought hard not to fall. But I often did. I learned that my every movement had to be in synch to successfully complete a skill. It never mattered how easy or difficult it was, my full attention was required because without it, my focus was off, and therefore, my balance was too.
Fast forward a few decades, and I still hear my coaches’ words - not as directives, but as words of wisdom. I’m no longer trying to balance on a four-inch piece of wood but instead, life as a working mom of two teenagers. Finding that healthy work-life balance can be challenging, and I am admittingly not always successful. This is not about an equal distribution of my time between work and family; instead, it’s an emotional effort and active process of accepting and expecting that things won’t always go as planned or desired and that every day will include challenges, obstacles, and stressors. Metaphorically speaking, when I remember to squeeze my core and keep my head up, my wobbles are short-lived, and I can manage many things at once. When I forget these words of wisdom, however, I am more likely to lose my focus and fall. And sometimes hard.
Falling isn’t fun, but I’m OK with it so long as I spend time reflecting, understanding, and learning from it. I focus on my thoughts and feelings and figuring out what I need to do to get back up and regain my balance. This effort may take some time, but I will get up. It may not be pretty either, and I certainly won’t score a perfect 10. But for as long as I keep remembering that this is my effort, experience, and opportunity, I can focus, regain my balance, and keep moving forward.
You may never have been a gymnast, but if you are parent, chances are you have wanted (and want) a healthy work-life balance. Both require practice. Both include falls. And both require getting back up.
Squeezing your core is equivalent to your awareness about life’s many moving parts, and keeping your head high is how you can navigate challenges and make responsible choices. These are your foundations of stability (on the balance beam and as a working parent) that influence your mindset, reactions, and decisions.You will still wobble and sometimes even fall. We all do. But with your core squeezed and head high, you are better able to navigate challenges and make responsible choices that will help you get up faster and pick up where you left off.
Never would I have thought that these words from decades ago would be so useful today as I continually work at having a healthy work-life balance. I wonder, did you recall directives from your youth that have since evolved into your own long-lasting words of wisdom?