My recent focus has been on my preparations for my upcoming mid-semester exams. Lack of sleep was taking a toll on my body and one night the exhaustion literally fell on my shoulders; but even though I was dead tired I could not fall asleep. It is in situations like this that I do something to relax my mind and body; so that I can get well-needed rest. Counting sheep did not work and so I jumped out of bed pondering what from my list of hobbies I could start doing. I could start a small canvas painting. Or, perhaps a sand art in a small vase, draw something (scribble) then color it in with pencil crayons. I could read a book I have been delaying, write a short story, or … rock balancing.
Yes Rock Balancing! A sip of something smooth on the palate combined with some sweet old jazz music makes it a perfect night to do some rock balancing.
“Within you there is stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.”
~Hermann Hesse
My Journey Balancing Rock
Approximately two (2) years ago while exploring the art of rock painting I came across Rock Balancing. When I began to try rock balancing I had no clue what I was doing. I knew it existed from videos I saw here and there; but, did I believe it was possible to almost defy gravity by stacking various sizes of rocks on top of each other with no adhesive? No. Think about it … how can someone stack a pile of stones without glue and they not fall apart?
On this particular night I decided to pass time by trying my hand at rock balancing. Initially I failed and I failed miserably. I tried and tried to get one stone balanced, I was unsuccessful. Hmmm, I added the Jazz music and sat in silence for a few minutes until I felt my body begin to relax. I attempted to balance a rock once more yet still NOTHING HAPPENED. I became flustered and literally flung the rocks in the basket which I kept by my room door. Climbed into bed, went to sleep and pretty much ignored them thereafter.
“You have power over your mind―not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” ―Marcus Aurelius
One evening I arrived home from work; overwhelmed with all the things happening at work, school and at home, and my mind was totally unsettled. I glanced at the rocks in the basket and I am sure they winked at me. Immediately I got dressed in some comfy clothing. I then took a flat piece of board I had and laid it on the floor, placed a towel over it to mimic grass padding, poured a glass of rum cream and turned on some jazz. One by one I began stacking. Base Stone… Second Stone…I screamed “YES, YES, YES it works!” so I tried adding a third stone and then all the rocks crashed to the floor.
Smiling inwardly I began stacking all over again. While stacking the rocks I noted the following. In order to get “in sync” with gravity I had to let go of self. In other words, I had to let go of all the thoughts, on my mind, release my body weight and feel light and content. I had to get to a place mentally where the only things that existed were myself and the rocks. I had to empty my mental space.
When I achieved this, I was able to concentrate on the feel, texture and shape of each rock. And most importantly, when I held each rock in place trying to find the balance point; I had to feel the weight between my fingers to know where to find its center of gravity.
“I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time.” ―Anna Freud
We all need to find this inner balance; and at times release all the thoughts, feelings and insecurities we hold within. We live in a world where we focus more on creating (or at times perfecting) the outer balance. How we are viewed by others? Who or what should we be like or represent? We work hard and we desire different things such as a good family life, a great job, a nice car, all backed by financial stability. But, even when the outer seem complete and in balance, we must find our inner balance.
This inner balance is the most important balance that we need in order to enjoy the outer balance we worked so hard to create and keep. Failing which we will never feel satisfied that we have achieved enough. It is important that we clear our minds consistently and find this inner balance that deals with self. Otherwise we are like a bottle under a dripping pipe and it is best to empty the bottle when it’s half full (by creating balance both inner and outer) than waiting until the bottle is completely filled (overwhelmed because we are out of balance).
LESSONS FROM A ROCK.
Here are three (3) important lessons Rock Balancing taught me:
•Stop rushing
We rush to get everything done based on timelines we set for ourselves or set by others. Take time and review your timelines. Give each task enough time to be completed properly before you move on to another task. Failure to slow down will result in a bunch of unfinished tasks; so stop putting your focus on ticking off things on the checklist. Complete tasks properly so that you will not have to spend time doing them over again.
•It is okay to say NO!
Often times we feel the need to say yes at all times. We enjoy helping others to the detriment of all we have to do. We lend ourselves to others and their tasks, forgetting ourselves. Saying yes when you know you do not have the time, energy and mental space to assist is cheating the other person from getting assistance they need from someone who can help whole heartedly. So the next time a new project, task or request comes your way, take some time to review what you are currently working on before you say yes.
•Accept the present
Let’s admit it … we’re human, so it’s natural to reflect on the past. But, thoughts of what could have been, was supposed to have been or needed to have happened clouds our minds daily. Too much reflection can keep you in a state of immobility; you spend more time pondering about the past than living in the present. The present is the center. To find balance you have to accept the moment you are living in now. The past has already played out based on the choices we made and decisions we took; Understand that the future will unravel as it comes, so stop overthinking things. The time worth thinking about is now. This moment!
“Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” ―Vivian Greene
Maintaining inner balance isn’t just learning how to stay grounded. It involves finding the strength to get back up after (like the rocks) you have fallen several times. Keep trying over and over again. Find new hobbies and form new networks according to your interests. Make it more about you and finding and keeping your inner balance.
These days I can stack up to six (6) stones. I am far from the level I want to achieve in rock balancing but guess what? I am also far from just beginning because I STARTED. 🙂
Find your inner balance, one rock at a time!
This feature appeared in our 3rd Issue of TheBeyondWoman Magazine
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