The Balance between Grounding and Taking Flight

Picture found at www.tunisiaonline,com

So I've been thinking about how people influence me, and how I influence them. I'll gravitate to people who seem to understand my introverted ways, artistic desires, or they have similar interests as me. However, often I'm surprised how well I get along with really just about anyone. Loud, boisterous types with a sense of humor and child-like behavior, or types who stick their noses into books, or generally just anyone who doesn't intentionally try to get on my nerves. 

Lately though, I'm noticing more the type of people who gravitate towards me.  This is a reflective thing--people who have the same weaknesses and difficulties in their lives as I do. People who have a similar body shape, people who are seeking some advice on matters that I need advice for myself!  It just goes to show that we share with others our weakness, and the ways we have handled our trials, so that they can know, and we can know, that we are not alone. No one wants to be around someone who's perfect all the time.  Especially if someone is perfect in all the areas you have personal flaws, right?  We like to keep things real.

If there is something in your life that you have overcome, you are more likely to share with others how you went about doing it.  You have a desire to help people with the very things that have been hard for you.  That's why people take on empathetic occupations-- such as a person who grew up in a high crime area might like to be a cop, or  person who was abused as a child may go into social services.  If you have had a loved one with health challenges, you might try to become a doctor.  You do what you do because you want to help others overcome the obstacles you've had--for what better teacher is there than experience?

So with that, it brings me to think on how my influence either helps, or holds myself and others back. Something that always comes up in conversations about personality and character traits within my friendships is that I am viewed as being a calming and grounding influence.  (Or maybe I'm just boring...haha)  

For example, when I sing, it's a peaceful kind of voice that might put you to sleep.

As a yoga instructor, I might calm and relax you, and I won't push you too hard.  As a friend I might make you feel better about yourself just the way you are. 

Personally, if I go running, I never push to reach a time or goal. I've always been non-competitive in nature.  I like to take life slowly, letting it organically unfold.  Yet--there is a part of me that occasionally desires more.  Waiting patiently in a state of contentment and meditation never got anyone to take flight. 

So even though being grounding is a needed influence in this world, sometimes you need an influence that pushes your limits. What makes a triathlete push themselves to their full capacity? What makes someone achieve a goal even with the odds against them? How does one battle against cancer? How does one find it in themselves to discover their true potential?

"You need some momentum to get off the ground."  This is a thought taken from a recent business training I attended. It really hit home for me--that I need to find that kind of lift in my life, and not only for myself, but to lift others.  I am truly inspired by those who understand how to gain momentum and enjoy it.  They go for the handstands in life even if they feel precarious.  

I'd like to find that kind of balance. 

(For a quick video of how I made some progress and "took flight" in my yoga practice this week, visit Instagram @balance.on.and.off.the.mat)