Moment of Balance
Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 4:57PM 
@2011 Photo by Linda SamuelsFor over 25 years, I’ve been coming to the rock by the river. My favorite way to go there is to walk down our street to the path through the woods, which leads me to the water. I went on this journey today.
I go there for solitude and sharing, for reflecting and conversing, for writing and wishing or for just being. It’s a place of strength, continuity, change and calm. The shifting seasons highlight its beauty in difference ways. On this crisp, fall day everything looked and smelled so clear and fresh.
The rocks, which jut out from the sandy bank provide a foundation that allows me to climb, stand or sit. Like our lives, without a sturdy base, things get wobbly. The rocks are there to support me as needed. I climbed out to the furthest rock, which was in the middle of the river. I sat and quieted myself as I took in the sounds, scents and view.
The river flowed by. It twisted and turned swiftly in places and appeared less active in others. The movement was constant like the continuous change we experience in our lives. The water had an energy and urgency about it as if something was going to happen. It made me feel hopeful about life’s possibilities.
That excitement was accompanied by the sound of the water flowing downstream. The river has many noises and beats as its currents swirl and bubble. The diverse tones joined together creating a unified backdrop that was calming and familiar.
This rock by the river is an emotional place. Dreams were dreamed here. Loved ones were loved here. Tears were cried here. Laughter was had here. Balance was found here.
The river flowed. The sun shone brightly. The air shared its breeze. I breathed deeply. This special place has once again allowed me the gift of just being, feeling this moment of balance and gratitude for my rock by the river.
What does balance look like or feel like to you?
Linda Samuels, CPO-CD
® is a compassionate, enthusiastic professional organizer, author & blogger who facilitates change in others' lives. She lives with her husband and daughters in a small, colorful home with a purple front door.
Reader Comments (8)
Balance feels like staring at the sky at night while looking at the million stars up there. It makes me feel calm, happy and contented. That's what balance means for me.
What a beautiful connection you made between the calm you feel "looking at the million stars" and how it feels to be balanced. Thank you, Natasha for taking the time to share.
Seems like you had a lovely, restoring day, Linda! How wonderful! I love the vivid images you share. You obviously have a deep connection with this place by the river. It sounds like your own personal haven. We all need to find a place like this and visit it often, don't we?
Water has that effect on me as well. Something about the pull and push, the constant movement and flow of the water that resonates with me. I guess that's what balance looks and feels like for me. The ability to go with the flow of life and remain open to its possibilities. That feeling of inner peace and knowing that all is well despite the pull and push of everyday life.
Thank you! Hugs.
Yota, what a beautiful phrase you shared, "ability to go with the flow of life and remain open to the possibilities. That feeling of inner peace and knowing that all is well despite the pull and push of everyday life." The connections you made between water, flow, peace and balance are wonderful. I appreciate you taking the time to share yourself with us.
Beautiful post and love your "painting" with words. felt as if I was there! In such busy times, its so good to have a reminder that we are in constant revision, that we can be always going back to a place of nurture to check our emotions, thoughts and choices in life. Even daily life!
A great read to start my day and a quite busy week between family, self and work. Thank you!
Thank you, Helena, for stopping by to join in the conversation. I appreciate your kind words. Life does get busy, as you've described. Juggling family, work and our own needs can be challenging. Taking time to recharge and nurture ourselves is essential. I hope you had a wonderful day!
Hi Linda :)
Balance to me feels relaxing -definitely no knots in the stomach or stressful headaches. just inner peace and an ability to go with the flow even when things are really busy and potentially overwhelming.
Balance brings more joy and happiness and a feeling of inner and outer calm. :)
Claire McFee
www.organizeyourlife.com.au
Claire- reading your description of balance made me feel calm inside and out. I love the idea you suggest that being balanced helps you even during the stressful and overwhelming times. Just beautiful. I'm so happy that you stopped by (all the way from Australia!) to join in the conversation. You always add so much.