Steady
For many years now, I have been into physical fitness. There have been many fitness fads over the years, and I have probably tried them all, dating all the way back to step aerobics. I just love fitness. My focus now is on running and yoga. I love yoga because of the intentional focus and breathing exercises, stretching and balance.
What I have noticed over the years is that I can do many poses on one leg (such as tree pose, see pic) for an extensive amount of time. Others around me may teeter, regroup and start again, but I feel like I could just stand there steady, all day. At a class recently however, I realized I wasn’t holding my pose as well and I had to restart not once but twice. It was on the second attempt, as I was getting back into my pose that I realized what I was doing differently.
Normally, before I even get into the pose, I pick a focus on the wall or floor, inhale and slowly, intentionally get into the pose. In other words, I ready my mind and steady my eyes before I even begin. But on this particular day, we were in a circle (which is not usually how we are positioned). So, instead of picking a focus point, I was looking around at other people. My normal had been disrupted. I didn’t want to feel like I was staring, so I looked around the room and then tried to pick a spot on the wall but was at that point acutely aware of others and their movements. The difference in setup and ultimate distraction, ended up being enough to make me fall out of the pose. Once I realized what was happening, I paused, readied my mind, focused on a point on the floor with my eyes and went perfectly into my pose.
As I stood there, I was left to consider… Is it really this easy to get distracted and knocked off our otherwise steady axis? Yes, changes in circumstance or getting caught up with what is happening with others around us can sometimes be enough to distract us just long enough to trip us up. Interesting.
This does not mean that we can’t be invested in friendships and other meaningful relationships. And as we know, changes in circumstance can happen quite often. The point to be understood here is this: While we are living out our relationships and rolling with the ebb and flow of life, we must be careful not to lose focus on what keeps us in balance.
Balance. I speak of it often and practice living it in every aspect of my life. Spirituality, family, friendships, hobbies, diet and exercise, etc. But the center of everything for me is God.
What I have noticed however, is that when something else in my world is out of balance, it can sneak up and knock me off my balance with God if I am not careful. So, the key is to not become consumed with what is not in order. Immediately, take it to God and look to scripture for His guidance. In faith, be confident that He is there to guide us through thick and thin.
Steady your gaze on what centers your life.
Psalm 141:8 says, “But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord…”
Hebrews 12:1,2 says, “…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…”
His word once again, gives us truth, direction and clarity about how to keep ourselves balanced and steady. Meditate on His word and apply it in your everyday life. Stay faithful in prayer. Practice living out your faith every day by trusting and praising Him through all things.
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