7x7x7x7 Writing Prompt – Holding Ourselves In Balance
In everyday life, then, we must hold ourselves in balance, choosing wisely. We must learn how to live for ourselves, while being available for others. Unless we take care of ourselves, we can never truly give to others. How can I give you from my emptiness? How can I keep going without stopping to refuel and recharge? Making a choice to take time for yourself, to focus on your well-being, doesn’t in anyway show that you are selfish. Never allow anyone to tell you otherwise.
(The part of line 1 that is in italics is the 7th line from the 7th page of the 7th book on my shelf, In The Palm of Your Hands. I used it to write 7 lines.)
This is in response to The Write’s Tribe Wednesday Prompt.
Now here are some quotes about balance:
“The great Sufi poet and philosopher Rumi once advised his students to write down the three things they most wanted in life. If any item on the list clashes with any other item, Rumi warned, you are destined for unhappiness. Better to live a life of single-pointed focus, he taught. But what about the benefits of living harmoniously among extremes? What if you could somehow create an expansive enough life that you could synchronize seemingly incongruous opposites into a worldview that excludes nothing?”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love
“The major work of the world is not done by geniuses. It is done by ordinary people, with balance in their lives, who have learned to work in an extraordinary manner.”
― Gordon B. Hinckley
“Your attachment to unhealthy people and bad habits, which offer you no real control, is why you’re spiritually dying and living a life out of balance.”
― Shannon L. Alder
“Here’s a nice image for a life in balance,” she said. “You’re juggling these four balls that you’ve named work, family, friends, spirit. Now, work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it bounces back. The other balls they’re made of glass.”
“I’ve dropped a few of those glass balls in my day. Sometimes they chip, sometimes they shatter to pieces.”
― James Patterson
This post is very apt one for me… practising self love seriously, in last few months I chose to go for health check up, and ensured to have one physical activity on a regular basis, spend some time in meditation every day, attempted and still attempting to eat healthy food, scheduled an appointment with the dentist, and attended classes to ensure that I am academically sound and still continuing seeking balance.. there is still a lot more to do and I am taking those small steps keeping my balance… loved your expressions ! Thanks for sharing ..
What a better perspective BS ~ holding ourselves in balance thank looking at it as living with the tension 🙂
Perfect as seven is multiplied many times 😉
Loving oneself is what is most important. Inspiring message !
Something that I never tire of telling my friends – you should be your first priority. If you are not happy how can you make others happy?
I truly believe that all things in life must balance and that in the end life itself balances out. Loved your post – so many truths in 7 lines. Definitely tweeting this one!
This post is so true. Without us being refueled, recharged and full of things, how else can be spend our time giving nothing to others. Wonderful Post mate.
Your simple message makes one reflect and learn….so inspiring!! Thanks for this 🙂
To say ‘I love you’, you should first learn to love ‘I’
Those who’ve never experienced love cannot be expected to give it. But one would understand that only if one took the time to explore what lies behind the other person’s outer facade.
Dagny
Very inspirational Corinne.
Yes, I completely agree with that! Balance is the key to contentment. Once upon a time, I was a stressed out workaholic with no joy in my life. When the axe fell, it was more of a relief than anything else, because I was completely burnt out by that point. Life is so much better now, even though we have less money. Money can’t buy happiness and nobody ever said “I should have worked more” on their deathbed. 😉
Hi Corinne,i have seen you on many blogs but somehow this is the first time i have come here.
Fine sentiments-agree with you.
So true, Corinne.
People think that caring about oneself is selfish. Yes, caring ONLY about oneself can be considered selfish. But the other extreme also doesn’t work – like you said, how can you give out of emptiness? So both are needed – caring about oneself AND caring for others.
Very well expressed. And very meaningful too. Thanks, Corinne. 🙂
Beautiful Corinne…we never do realise the time we meed for ourselves and our needs…so true 🙂
‘How can I give you from my emptiness’ is so true and inspirational.
what a lovely thought and especially the part that we need to take care of ourselves. Corinne its your simple words combined with basic life philosophies we often forget that make a great reading 🙂
So very true and so very inspiring, Corinne!
I read this somewhere that in order for you to attract loving people, moments and circumstances, you need to know how to love yourself first!!
Simply Superb!! Yes Corinne you are correct when you say that we should ourselves be fit to be able to give our best to others.
Love it! I am planning to do this challenge too.
Sure we must balance the both….should learn to say No, take No for an answer. And, then there is also a joy in giving, those little things we do for love, out of love.
A balancing act, indeed! I’m reminded here of what Jesus said – “Love your neighbor AS yourself.” In other words, He assumes we will take good care of us in order to be able to care for one another.
That is a beautiful affirmation!
Thanks 🙂 for this and that!
Thanks, Vidya. I’m glad you wrote yours, it was a lovely story!
powerful n effective capsules!
My mom always asks me to take care of my health so that I can serve my family better.
Awesome lines and very appropriate. In caring, giving to others, we forget to take care of ourselves – both physically and mentally. And then we suffer for it !
That was so truly motivational Corinne, and so very true. If we are empty, what can we give others. I am still learning how to give importance to myself, and still be available for all my near and dear ones. Thank you for sharing this piece with us. <3
Glad you liked it, Bhavya. We’re all learning, aren’t we? 🙂
What wonderful lines Corinne.. many a times we forget our needs for the fear of people calling us selfish. I have learnt it slowly over time that placing yourself first is not wrong , in fact it makes us happy from within and we can give more to people around us.
Hi Vinita, yes, the notion that we’re selfish when we’re taking care of our selves, often keeps us from being the best we can be for ourselves and others.
I reminded myself the exact same today morning. Was deeply pained to hear someone’s trauma. I just stepped out in the garden, breathed deeply and reminded myself this. And now I see you posted it here 🙂
Are we connected or what? But I’m glad you agree, Sangeeta.