Heartfelt Gratitude: Physical and Emotional Balance

Photo by author

I have been spending more and more time sitting on my Balance Rider It’s purpose is to build up the core muscles and stretch the hip flexors. This exercise is important because these muscles are needed to keep me balanced on my horse if he zigs or zags unexpectedly. I can feel that I am improving each time I practice. I can feel my core muscles working as I sit on it. I can also feel that my balance in general is improving, too. Balance is an important part of life.

I spent an hour and a half listening to a zoom meeting with Mavis Karn (she is amazing, look her up on youtube) recently.

My take away from this week’s gathering, was that I could listen deeply to others and learn from them. I did not have to share a personal experience this week. I was ok being ‘invisible’ and quiet. Not that she asked me to be, not at all. In fact she encourages stories and collaborative teaching. I just followed the feel and was completely OK with just being an observer. Simply soaking in the wisdom from others, was what I felt drawn to do, during this particular large group experience.

During a breakout room session with just 3 of us, however, I was forced to experience that feeling again, partly because my camera would not connect. (I figured it out later, I needed to download an app). I had sound, but no camera. The people in my group were talking to each other. I truly was and felt invisible, but this time it was uncomfortable. I felt abandoned and ignored. I realized, that this feeling was a result of my thinking. If they did or did not intentionally exclude me, it did not matter. What mattered was how I felt and how I could regain my balance. I used this 12 minutes of time, as an opportunity to practice my emotional balance. While they were talking to each other, I focused on the feelings I was experiencing in my body.

I listened deeply to myself. I started to relive several painful moments in my life. Moments when I was controlled, not heard and forced to be invisible. I let these thoughts flow. I felt some pain or discomfort in my chest, my shoulders and my arms. Another memory, a thought, about being ignored during my life, appeared. I felt it in my heart and my throat. I focused on each of the physical feelings as they were rushing through my body.

Yes, the physical feelings were becoming painful, but I am grateful that I felt them when I did. I caught them before I relived them entirely. Noticing the physical sensations, allowed my emotional state to become balanced. I became calm and centered again.

Our time in the breakout room was coming to a close. One of the ladies asked me a question about my experience. Fortunately, I was able to say something wise, from a calm and centered place. I was able to speak from my heart. There was not enough time left to share my personal story, but I was able to share something positive and comforting.

From this experience, I realized, it was also OK to be invisible when it was not my choice to be. When another took control and didn’t see me, it hurt. However, I didn’t need to share my story. It didn’t matter if they saw me. What mattered was my ability to recover my emotional balance because I was uncomfortable when I felt ignored and invisible. 

I am so very grateful that I was able to find my balance once again. I wasn’t bucked off. I didn’t land in the muck and mire of a low emotional state. The physical sensations notified me when I was starting to tilt sideways. I was about to lose my balance. I was in danger of being bucked off. I remembered to acknowledge my physical sensations, which allowed me to move from a painful thought, to a more comfortable thought.

When I ride the Balance Rider, I am becoming very aware of my core muscles as they contract, stretch and relax. My muscles respond to the Balance Rider as it rocks side to side and to and fro. This keeps my center of gravity stable on the ever moving seat. I am physically stronger because of this practice.

Maintaining emotional balance also takes practice and awareness. Noticing and feeling my muscles contract, stretch and eventually relax as a result of my thoughts, is what keeps me emotionally centered, while life moves from side to side, and to and fro. Knowing, feeling and practicing staying emotionally balanced, is a life changing practice!

Photo by author

My heartfelt gratitude for today is for physical and emotional balance. When life happens, I know that I have practiced. I have taken the time to strengthen my core muscles. Thus, increasing the odds that I will, in fact, remain centered. Confident in myself and my core, to carry me through the difficult moments. 

Are you physically balanced? 

Can you remain emotionally balanced when life moves from side to side and to and fro? 

Are you aware of the physical sensations your body sends you to help you find your balance?

Manifest a magical day!