Raise your hand if you wish you lived a more balanced life. Okay, quickly put it down. People are starting to stare. For much of my life this has been one of my major quests. To be a devoted husband, father, patriot, and believer. Every time I focus on getting stronger in one area I often feel as if I’m dropping the ball in another. Sound familiar? I would love to quit putting my health and exercise regiment on hold every time life and work get out of control and over my head. I would love to eat better, to get out and spend more time in the wild again, hiking, hunting and exploring. I would love to spend more time with the people I love and care about, and less on things that really don’t matter. Aaahh, the daily struggle for balance. Notice the title is the “practice” of creating balance, not the “way” of creating it. Take doctors for example; they “practice” medicine because it’s so dynamic and ever changing. Balance is the same way. Our lives are constantly changing and if you’re like me, and are striving to go big, and pursue the best version of you possible, there will be periods where balance is NOT attainable.
I have noticed during 2 major points in my life; becoming a SEAL and starting my own business, that both began with multiple year periods that completely lacked balance. Why? Because they were both so difficult and testing, that my time and attention required laser focus to accomplish the goal. I remember constantly having to turn down opportunities to hang out with friends and family. I remember for the most part having to put most of my personal hobbies and interests on the back burner. I remember being sleep deprived for much of both periods and in the case of the startup packing on at least 25lbs. It is actually kind of cool to sit back and reminisce on the process and how in both cases, balance was severely lacking. After our latest business endeavor I now probably enjoy more balance than I ever have as an adult. The freedom and enlightenment that usually comes after successfully completing a major goal can be intoxicating and well worth all the adversity that’s inevitable on your journey towards it. It’s extremely important to continue to remind yourself during these periods of time where your grinding it out from dusk till dawn that this is just temporary. This is just a small period of my life, it will be over soon and my life will be better for it.
One of my favorite parts about the practice of living a balanced life is taking time to rest and relax. Jen and I are actually taking a trip this weekend. Spoiler alert, we won’t be doing anything extreme or death defying. We will be relaxing, eating good food, enjoying nature and resting up for our busiest season. For the first couple years when we started Bottle Breacher this type of thing wasn’t even possible. I find that I enjoy life a lot more when I have the time to work out on a daily basis, spend time pursuing personal passions and hobbies and spending quality time with my family and friends. It’s nice to be able to catch your breath and enjoy life on a regular basis. I mean, if we are constantly going so hard all the time and can’t enjoy it once and a while then what is the point of all the strategies, sleepless nights and physical exhaustion? I have heard too many people tell me that they look back and wish they could go back and spend more time with their loved ones and not focus so hard on work and their careers.
I know this will be one of the most important and difficult challenges as I, “practice” living a balanced life. I also realize that there will probably be at least one more time in my life where I will have to sacrifice balance again. No matter what the situation is I hope I’m able to detach, and say to myself, “It’s just temporary” this will be over soon and I will be back to enjoying the things and people I love the most, in no time at all. For now, I will keep making my family and friends a priority. I will keep making my health a priority, unless it is pizza night. I will make time to carry my weight and then some, at work. I will make time to read my bible every day. I will also make sure that I stand up for this country and promote moral, conservative values, regardless of popularity. Yeah, I guess those are my priorities, that is when I feel the most balanced and squared away. What’s your balance?
