Finding Balance
My friend Lucas tells me, “C’mon Peter! You gotta try it. It’s easy. But, don’t hurt yoursel!”
“Well wait a minute. If it’s so easy, how would I hurt myself?”
Ohh, the agony of slipping off and having a pedal slam into your shin. Yeah, that hurts! Or, the embarrassment of watching someone 20+ years my junior zipping around on a 6 foot high unicycle, like a hot knife through butter. Meanwhile, his siblings and friends are holding their laughter at my ineptitude. That hurt the ego.
“Let me help you. You have to find your balance point. Just sit there and don’t move.” Then, the laughter started. “Sit still. Find your balance. It’s not that hard.”
“I’m trying. Stop laughing at me! Quiet down over there in the peanut gallery. This ain’t easy. You can fall over front or back AND side to side. This is crazy. I should be wearing a helmet.”
“Okay, you got it. Now just go for it.”
Another dent in my shin from the pedal. “Son of a…”
Ahhh, the trials and tribulations of finding your balance. How often are we in this position? Struggling to find our balance between work, family, friends, pets, entertainment, bills to pay, etc. Do we ever become good at it? Do we ever find that perfect balance point where we don’t hurt someone, especially ourselves? How many times do we fail to realize that the younger generation can help us? They are willing to hold our hands, give us encouragement, and teach us. If only we let them. If only we swallow our pride and toss aside our ego.
Sure, we have to tap our toes on the ground sometimes. But with practice, patience, and persistence, it can become easier.
I never did get the hang of riding the unicycle. Not yet at least. But, I will try again until I get it.
What are you struggling to find balance with? Where do you need to hang on and ask for help? When are you going to let go and enjoy the ride. Don’t forget your helmet. And, don’t hurt yourself.
Be Kind. Be Thankful. Be Significant.
