"The essence of balance is in giving up."
This concept comes from the book, The Road Less Traveled, written by M. Scott Peck, MD.
Consider this scenario: You're riding down a steep hill, enjoying the speed, the wind in your hair, the feeling of freedom. But at the bottom of the hill is a curve you must negotiate to stay on the road. You are faced with a decision: "Do I slow down to take the curve, or do I continue to enjoy this speed?"
"Balancing is a discipline precisely because the act of giving something up is painful. And the loss of balance is ultimately more painful than the giving up required to maintain balance."
If you choose to continue enjoying the speed, the wind in your hair, and so on, you will ultimately have to deal with the consequences of the curve in the road. You'll have to give up something. Which will it be?
Now, consider this scenario: You're a father wanting to spend time with your daughter. The aim is to have a happier, closer relationship. She loves chess. You ask her to join you in a game. She jumps at the chance. However, the game continues on into the night. Your daughter is rigidly disciplined in her sleep habits. She wants to end the game and go to bed. But you get upset at her lack of commitment to finishing what she starts. She gets up from the game crying, stomping off to bed.
"Balancing is a discipline precisely because the act of giving something up is painful. And the loss of balance is ultimately more painful than the giving up required to maintain balance."
In this scenario, the father needed to give up his need to win at all costs, to win at parenting, and his enthusiasm, competitiveness, and seriousness of play. Giving that up would have resulted in a happier, closer relationship.
What are your scenarios? Do you need to give up anything in the short run to enjoy the greater benefits of balance?
Click here to get a copy of M. Scott Peck's book, The Road Less Traveled.
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