What Throws A Person Off Balance

The universe takes and gives everything you didn’t know you needed. These prompts are an invitation to step inside yourself and explore what balance means to you. Rupi Kaur

I am balancing good times and not-so-good times. When you live for 70 years, there is a lot of both. When there is a death, I choose to focus on the good times along with the present moment and the loss of a loved one.

When my sister died and she had a traditional Anishinabe funeral, I was crying by the casket with a close friend, we were asked to move away from my sister. It was explained that she was traveling, and the crying could stop her from her journey. I said, "That damn shit left me!"

I don't know where that came from as I wasn't thinking that. It was enough to start us laughing and we didn't have to move away with our tears. That memory is important when grieving. It doesn't have to be all tears when grieving, it is okay to have laughter too.

And I think it is permission given to others who don't think they should even smile at such times. My sister was full of life and laughed easily and that could've interrupted her journey too. She may have wanted to hear what we were laughing about.

There are many things important to finding balance in our lives. Some people will talk about how you can't be a weakling if you are going to live a long time.

My people are still here due to resilience. I survived until I could thrive. I used to say I was a survivor. I don't regret that time as I am still here and I am a strong woman because of it.

Rupi Kaur's Balance Writing Prompts - What has feeling imbalanced taught you about yourself?

When away from loved ones, missing children and grandchildren, especially for extended periods I can feel out of balance. It was especially noticeable during the pandemic and even now with being able to see more of my loved ones, it is even more clear how off-balance I was.

When my children are struggling, I struggle. I want to help to fix it, whatever 'it' is. I have learned over time that I can love them and pray for them. Knowing they are loved, hopefully, gives them strength.

I trust that they will do what is best for them. It isn't always what I think but that is not important.

Then when my health is off, it throws me off in other areas of life too. I don't feel like spending time learning, and I can forget to pray and meditate. It can be time to feel sorry for me. Some of that is okay but too much is not good for me and makes me all the more off-balance.

It is best to keep faith in the mix and do the very best I can to balance body, mind, spirit, and mental health. When I get depressed, laughter can bring me out of it, even if it is fake laughter!

Rupi Kaur's Self-Love Writing Prompts - In hindsight, do you have appreciation for the hardships you have been through?

Hardships have made me stronger. I am aware of that. Would I want to go through cancer again to make me stronger yet? No. I prefer to live the rest of my life without that hardship. Do I want to repeat my life of living with alcoholism? No. I prefer living life in recovery!

Would I want to repeat racist acts on me or my loved ones or trauma, grief, and loss? No. Going through past events is over. Done. I get to recall each time I have an oncology appointment, attend the funeral of a loved one, or am there to support a loved one.

Then when I witness or experience a new episode of racism, it will bring back past experiences. I am not a vulnerable young person who would bring fear to the experience or have me judging myself. I am a woman, hear me roar. JK

As a young teen, I used to change the subject quickly when I could or I would think the person was ignorant. Today, it is easy to feel sorry for someone so racist. They don't know any better and they feel bad about themselves or wouldn't need to try to put someone else down.

Rupi Kaur's Balance Writing Prompts - As you go about your day, what can throw you off balance?

So many things can throw you off balance. For today, I will wake up with good thoughts. Practice meditation, mindfulness, or Reiki. I greet the day in the way I was taught. When I hear or see something unpleasant to me I will remember to ask myself if it is worth my serenity to get involved or respond.

When it is worth my serenity, it has to be enough to know that if I don't I will regret it. In the evening I review my day and if I was wrong, I admit it. I will make amends where needed. If I live in recovery, I will know peace.