Ducks....

So a brief detour from the story for an interjection about ducks. Yes, ducks.

Last year, as we started our school year, a teacher show us a picture of some ducks crossing a grate on the street. The mother was looking forward, with feet large enough to cross the grate without a problem. A couple of the little ducklings had found their way along the side. But it was clear that at least one of those tiny ducks would fall right through the openings in the grate.

Aside from angering our science teacher as she wanted to know what happened next, the visual served well for us educators. It was indeed about leading a group of students through a lesson, realizing that some can figure out how to 'cross the grate', but others will require more help.

Much time has passed since that image was given to us to enhance our teaching & our modifications for those students who need more. I have embarked on a journey (which this blog is telling step by step) that has included my quest to find balance. A journey which has included yoga teaching, meditation practice, shifting my paradigm, believing in the promise of practice & living as much in the present as possible.

What I've found is that I return to the image of the ducks. Each duck in this scenario representing a part of myself or my life. I am sure that if all of my focus goes to one place, if I lose my balance, one of those ducks is likely to fall through the cracks. I know this because, as my story thus far has shown, I lived it. I invested myself into certain things, failing to see that vital pieces of myself were getting lost along the way. I was the mother duck, walking forward with blinders on, unaware of what I had lost until I had traveled so far I didn't even know where to start looking for them.

We must care for each part of ourselves. Each of us has a unique make-up that makes us who we are. However, we are all also of the same, all of us not just similar but on a cosmic level, actually the same Self. So, if we even analyze balance on a larger scale, we see that we are a part of something bigger. & if this part, the part you are responsible for, is forgotten about or overlooked or allowed to fall through the cracks, then we affect those we are a part of, we affect everyone. So A. you owe it to others to care for each duck that makes up who you are & what your energy is composed of; & B. you owe it to yourself in the more everyday sense of your life.

Your mental, emotional, physical, spiritual & even energetic selves are very intertwined. However, they all do need your focus and attention. If you act as the mother duck, know that you will miss signs that your subtle body is giving you. Give yourself time to cherish all parts of yourself. To take an inventory of what each part of yourself needs. You will find yourself staying in better balance the more you practice this.

And on an even more superficial, though no less important, level, keeping track and giving attention to the parts of yourself that are uniquely you. Embracing hobbies that make you happy, sensing when you need to say 'yes' & when you need to say 'no' to things that arise in your path, giving of yourself while also giving to yourself, planning for the future or remembering the past while being aware of your present. Again, another place we must find balance. Another place where we have quite a few ducks crossing a grate.

That being said, maintaining balance isn't quite as easy as it would seem. The key is being aware of your ducklings. Seeing where one is having some trouble. You may not be able to provide the bridge for that duck at that moment, but the fact that you're aware of it, means it'll be easier to fix again later. So, if you get so busy with work that you find you haven't done any of your hobbies that help keep you happy, it doesn't mean quit your job & get that darn duck over the grate. No, it just means your hobby, that fun little duck, might have to wait patiently.

See, we live in a culture that is all about having all your ducks in a row. Well what the hell do you when one of those ducks flies off, or gets left behind for a little while? Give up? Sit down, throw a pity party & decide that you failed? No. That's not what you do. However, you also do not do what much of our culture seems to encourage us to do which is to just push through, grin & bare it, leave the duck behind & get one with it. No. This doesn't work either.

So, work to maintain your balance, getting all your ducks in a row. But when one flies away or gets caught up, take a deep breath, look at your remaining ducks & be happy. Write a post-it note so you don't forget to find that little rogue duck. And move forward with what you have, giving your attention equally to those things that you can.

Ducks. Who knew?