Balance in Chaos: Finding Your Core Strength
Balance. It seems like we are constantly searching for it in these turbulent, often chaotic, and even violent times.
In my last blog, I explored how power is found in both the lead and the follow of life and dance. Today, I want to build on that idea: power also comes from balance. When our lives are overloaded with distractions, endless to-do lists, and scattered thoughts, balance feels elusive—like trying to catch a feather in the wind.
Yet, balance is crucial. Even in the rapid, dramatic bursts of change—much like the fiery moves of Tango—we need to find our center. Balance equals power.
Balance Starts at the Core
Balance emanates from your core and radiates outward. A strong core provides the foundation for quick, precise action—just like the fluid yet grounded movements of Tango. With a solid frame, you can lead boldly or respond gracefully to life’s twists and turns.
But what happens when your core feels weak, your frame is loose, and life knocks you flat?
You get attitude. You fake it until you make it. You pick yourself up with as much flair as you can muster, even if you’re dazed, embarrassed, and unsettled. You find that tiny granule of strength within—the one that whispers, “You deserve more, and you will have more.”
And then, you get strong. You take the steps to build your core strength, to reinforce the framework of your life, and to focus your energy where it matters most.
Lessons From the Fall
One of Mikelle’s team members recently shared a moment of vulnerability: “What do you do when you feel like you’ve lost your balance—not just in one area of life, but everywhere?” she asked during one of our reflective conversations. I replied, “You fall, yes. But you rise, too. And when you rise, you find a way to carry yourself higher than before.”
These words echo what I’ve learned through years of personal growth and mentorship: falling is inevitable, but it’s in the rising that we discover our resilience. Judgment comes from the experience of being off-balance. Learning comes from the courage to find balance again.
Practicing Balance in a Transforming World
In today’s ever-changing world, strength comes from engaging the energy of our passion, staying grounded, and moving deliberately from our core. Like Tango, life demands elegance and grace during turbulence.
But grace doesn’t come easily. It takes practice—over and over again. Practice requires patience, commitment, and a willingness to step into the awkward unknown. I contend “You can’t skip the messy parts. That is where the magic happens.”
Finding balance isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence. It’s about boldness in the face of fear, calm in the chaos, and the audacity to keep going. Think of Balance like the this:
Seven Steps to Finding Balance
I distilled the essence of balance into seven key principles:
- Boldness: Embrace the courage to take risks and lead with conviction.
- Authenticity: Stay true to yourself, even when the world pressures you to conform.
- Love: Infuse your actions with kindness and compassion—for yourself and others.
- Action: Move forward, no matter how small the step, with intention and purpose.
- Non-Judgment: Release the need to criticize yourself or others when balance wavers.
- Calm: Cultivate stillness within, even in the face of external chaos.
- Energy: Tap into the vibrant, passionate force that fuels your dreams.
Calmness in Chaos
Balance doesn’t mean the absence of turbulence. It means finding calm within it. It’s about standing firmly in your core strength, moving with intention, and practicing over and over until balance feels natural—even when life feels anything but.
Mikelle and I know that the journey to balance is not linear. It’s a dance of falling and rising, of losing and rediscovering our center. And in the process, we don’t just transform ourselves—we transform the world.
So when life throws you off balance, remember: take a deep breath, find your core, and get started. We remind ourselves of this daily.