Funambulism.
Give up?
Here are the roots:
Funis--rope
Ambulare--to walk
That's right! Funambulism: Tightrope walking
Recently, I delivered short talk on this. It was, of course, metaphorical--but oh, so appropriate. Keeping balance between all the various parts of my life feels much like tightrope walking!
While prepping the talk, I did some research and came up with a few interesting thoughts...
1. Keeping centered is the most important thing with tightrope walking. One way a funambulist does this is by not looking at their feet! They keep their eyes on the end goal. Looking down at their feet would readjust their center of gravity and throw them off balance. So, I need to keep my eyes on my end goal and not focus on every step!
2. There are a number of different types of tightrope walking, but--for the most part--gravity pulls the same. A fall from 6 feet might be easier on the body than a fall from 100 feet--but the chance of falling is the same! So, I need to not compare my "tightrope" with anyone else's...we all have the same pull of gravity!
3. The lower the center of gravity--the easier it is to balance. One artist in an article I read commented that if you begin to feel off balance, it helps to raise one leg and lower yourself to your knee. This lowers your center of gravity and allows you to regain balance. So, I need to release some of my "hold" on the rope and spend more time on my knees in prayer to regain my life balance!
4. Tightrope walkers often hold their arms out or carry a long pole to help with their balance. It allows them to feel the inertia that is threatening to pull them one way or the other and to readjust their weight to keep gravity centered. You won't see a tightrope walker with their arms wrapped tightly around themselves! So, I need to keep myself open--not closed--to the things in life that press on me!
5. The same artist mentioned above also made an interesting observation about what she does, "You really have to love what you're doing-otherwise it's too hard!" So, I need to find joy in this journey--or it will feel too hard!
6. A final thought I had is that many times, you will see that--especially in training--tightrope walkers have safety nets. This allows learners to feel more confidence in knowing their failures won't be fatal! If they fall, they'll be safe--and they can get back on the rope and try again. So, I need to remember that life is a lesson and God is always there as my safety net. It doesn't mean I won't fall, but it won't be "the end" and I can get back on the rope and try again!
I think, maybe, I might just figure this life balance thing out, after all....
