What if balance isn’t an elusive myth? My new perspective on balance, tension, and empathy.

I’ve always thought balance was some sort of peaceful, hands-free coasting zone achieved by allocating equal portions of whatever area needed balance.

If I just divided _______ (fill in the blank: time, work, life, diet, relationships, energy, etc.) equally, I thought I could reach some sort of blissful tranquility.

But achieving that perfect allocation always eluded me.

Then it hit me during one of my barre workouts: balance is about embracing a healthy tension. Balance is the strength to hold steady when things are uneven — the tension of an uncommon posture.

Balance is embracing the tension of wanting to quit and yet knowing I’m capable of more. It’s wanting relief and persisting to see results.

What if we approached empathy with this new (to me) mindset of balance?

What if we held in tension both our perspective and the opposing view of someone else? What if we asked the difficult question without condescension and then embraced the silent tension of waiting for an answer?

This redefined balance — a healthy tension — isn’t easy. It’s a struggle. But embracing the tension, however inadequately at first, is where the greatest impact lies.