For the last week I have been riding a stand-up paddle board for the first time. I love it. The first time out I found the water more than a few times. Waves have proven to be tricky, but I am starting to find my sea legs. I have a new respect for all of the stand-up paddlers I have seen working it on the ocean and big lakes.
On the paddle board, it’s all about balance.
Of course it is. Isn’t that what we always hear people desiring? Balance.
In her book Improv Wisdom: Don’t Prepare, Just Show Up , Patricia Ryan Madson makes an amazing insight when it comes to balance. Instead of looking for balance, she encourages all of us to embrace the wobble.
Embrace the wobble.
She’s right. Think about it. The belief (and illusion) of finding balance is that it is a destination we can achieve. When we find or get balance, we are balanced. Yet, in reality, any balance we have is temporary. Life is always changing. Nothing stays the same. Yes, we often create pain for ourselves wanting things to stay familiar, yet it is impossible. There is not a single human thing that stays the same – ever.
Instead of finding balance – we are always balancing!
Balance is not something we get. Balancing is what we do. It is action, a lifestyle, not a destination. To be in a state of balancing requires our constant attention and intention. It demands a conscious effort to be awake and alert to our thoughts and actions.
I love this. It means we are always moving, always adjusting. A surfer on a wave is constantly adjusting during the entire ride. The wave changes, weight shifts, the surfer improvises and responds.
Have you ever stood on something unstable and maintained a rigid stance? How did that work for you?
Balancing requires the expression of fluidity, grace, and flexibility. Life throws you a wave – and you adjust. In fact, it’s in the act of balancing that we grow, get stronger – and find our way.
So, don’t sweat the shake – just wobble baby!
(I would like to thank my niece Teagan for the Wobble Baby art for the picture.)
Thank you Travis!!! As a Modern Dancer most of my life I can appreciate your text and extend further my understanding of Balance…actually one of my best qualities as a Dancer
:). I see now how this beautiful quality “saved” me when my life was hit by a gigantic wave.In every way I had to adapt and find balance at least for a while, and then like you said, improvise again!!! Your insight will encourage me to do some more thinking,to meditate, and pray about…yeah embrace the wobble!!
!
I hope you’re enjoying your new waves, I can tell you are
Janete
Wow! Few things delight an author more than being understood so fully. Thank you for mentioning IMPROV WISDOM as you go about your vital purpose. The surfing metaphor is perfect. Even if we understand this intellectually it’s helpful to be reminded to embrace the wobble. I needed to hear that today, too. Blessings on your YES work.
Yeah, Travis–
I never got balance. (There’s a lot of evidence for this in my Tree Pose.)
Once I settled on Rhythm, however, everything fell into place. You can change up the rhythm of your day and life, take it fast like a foxtrot or slow it down smooth and jazzy. Your beat changes. Rhythm implies movement — finding a good groove, changing it up. On beat, off beat, up beat, down beat. Action, inaction. Motion, rest.
Thanks hombre!
Evan
Love this segment on balance…such an important quality to express. I seem to have a challenge with balance in tree pose….now, I can hardly wait to do this pose in my next yoga class. I plan to embrace the ideas you shared. In fact, I think I shall try this right now!!!
HeHe
Absolutely one of my big ahas was that balance isn’t static, it requires wobbling. Thanks for the insight. Stand Up Paddling only worked for me when the water and wind was absolutely still.
Kinda like, life works as long as I’m still and quiet, not risking and taking action. The trick is to see Life working in motion.
And I’m planning my next SUP adventure.
This is the very trick to succeeding at my new found hobby of slack-lining…that is, walking the tight rope. Embrace the wobble is the only way to stay upright.