Have you ever tried to hold a pose for long time? If you’ve ever been in a photoshoot, you know it gets old pretty quickly. Most people who have taken wedding pictures will tell you that after about 5 minutes, posing for pictures isn’t fun anymore. The reception on the other hand? I’ve seen people dance all night.
I have always tried to live my life in balance. I was taught that too much of anything is not good. A perfectly balanced life is one that consists of various activities in measured portions. But I’m not always good at keeping my life in balance.
There are seasons that I immerse myself in a particular activity. When I first started in ministry, I was at church 4 times a week. When I first started writing, I spent tons of hours tweaking my site and coming up with post ideas. When I first start a relationship, I spend all my available time with my significant other.
Some seasons are immersive. Keeping a constant balance will prevent growth in any particular area. The only way we can manage this tension is to find a rhythm of the seasons. These rhythms will help us understand when it’s time to hustle hard and when to rest well.
A life in balance is like a pose for a picture. It’s nice for awhile but eventually it gets very difficult to maintain. There is no movement because you are frozen.
Dancing on the other hand, is rhythmic. It oscillates between intensity and rest. Moves are fluid and they adjust to the environment and space. Rather than balancing the tension, it weaves through it.
Life is about the dance, not the pose. There is no way to maintain balance long term. Sometimes life needs to be intense for a season; other times rest is required. If we try to perfectly balance seasons, we’ll stay stagnant. But if we find the rhythms of life and adjust as they come, we’ll not only sustain long term but we’ll move forward while doing it.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a million. Living life in balance will produce an album of stills. Living life in rhythm will produce a dynamic reel of film.
Do you have rhythm?
Love.this.
I will choose to dance, with the Holy Spirit as my partner, guide and Lord.
That’s the best partner you could choose!
Great post, Tony. I will ponder rhythm and balance a bit more.
Makes me appreciate how the supreme Soul is in charge of the tones, textures, flavors, and rhythm of my life.
It’s opened up a whole new way of thinking for me, Keith. Thinking in terms of balance had me feeling perpetually guilty and burned out. Finding rhythm in my life is helping me find my groove. Wow, I’m really stretching this metaphor. Thanks for stopping by today!
While we’re on the topic of rhythm and videos, I couldn’t help but think of one of my favorites to share:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32j8M5G1f8o
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Ha, that’s classic Larry! Waka waka!
I’m loving your thoughts on balance and rhythm. I always used to stress (and sometimes still do) about things not being balanced enough. But let me tell you, as a single mom (or probably any parent – this all all I know so I can’t say for sure) balance seems impossible. And when I try to keep everything perfectly balanced, it only causes more stress. Great post.
Thanks Jenn. It’s been a pretty big revelation for me as well. I’m loving the concept of rhythm and I’m going to keep discovering how it relates to every area of my life.
“Some seasons are immersive.”
Oh how true that is. Love your analogy here… because even in dancing, you have times of balance and where you stop the motion to make an impact, and then times of movement. If we think of our journey as having both rhythm and balance, its much more enjoyable!
You could say that intentional moments of balance are part of the overall rhythm. That’s a good point, Jenny!
I think I am more a Carlton from the Fresh Prince when it comes to rhythm – that is I really only know one move regardless of the song.
I can do the Carlton like a champ! There may or may not be video evidence of this from my sister’s wedding.
I had gotten out of rhythm a little recently, but I think I’m back in one now. And it feels good.
You should try taking a break from preaching one Sunday and play the drums. That will keep you in rhythm!
I have way too many songs running through my head right now to write a coherent response.
I’m not sure if I am annoyed with you, or want to have a dance party.
Great post, Tony.
If you’re annoyed, we can always “dance it out”. I just got the scene from MJ’s “Bad” in my head as I typed that.
I’ve really been struggling with balance and rhythm since the birth of our 3rd son and our bathroom renovation. Things have gotten seriously out of control-I’m afraid to admit. I’ve had this intense feeling of being constantly overwhelmed with life. I’m pretty slow on the uptake here, and now that Korbin is 14 months, I’m finally realizing that we didn’t transition too well into this stage of our life. Searching for the rhythm in the constant transition of parenthood, because trying to maintain the pose just isn’t working!
Keri, let me encourage you by saying that I found the transition from two to three kids MUCH harder than one to two. There’s something about suddenly being out-numbered that changes everything. Also, you no longer fit at the small tables in restaurants, you usually need a bigger car, and one-on-one time with your kids needs to be scheduled. Hang in there, you’ll get through it and you’ll have a brand spankin new bathroom to hide in! Also, going from three to four was a breeze! {wink, wink}
Girl, you hit the nail on the head. Of course, I also started this little thing called Pop Parables in the past year, too. So, there’s just been a lot of projects going on and so little time!
I’ve observed (mostly because I’m not a parent to experience) that many parents burn out due to trying to keep life in balance.
If you have 3 kids, it’s not the best strategy trying to “balance” home, work, church, activities, hobbies and other committments.
The rhythm of life is parenthood and all other “extras” really should be cut out. It’s up to you to determine what is the extra, but it’s unreasonable to expect yourself to be able to balance everything with 3 kids in the same way you were involved in many things when you had one or even none.
P.S. I’m guest posting for KC (somewiseguy.com) tomorrow if you would like more tips on how to raise your kids from someone with zero children. It should be fun!
I could use some rhythm. I want to be a part of the rhythm nation.
Well played, my friend. The rhythm nation is where it’s at.
Yes, well said! Life IS a rhythm, not a balance. I think each season in our life has its own rhythm. The trick is learning how to stay with the beat as it changes.
Absolutely, Wendy. I think that’s where people go wrong and try to shift back to the balance mentality. They think, I can’t be so intense because I’ll burn out. The problem is that they stay too long in the rhythm of intensity and never shift into a rhythm of rest.
There are ebbs and flows and we have to learn the rhythm to keep in sync. It’s more dynamic than balance but also much more sustainable when you “feel the beat”.
I try to convince myself all the time I am not a dancer.
But then my bones get a shakin’.
Just can’t help it.
D, for some reason I picture you as the guy in the white pants:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_chmqHMlqzc
Moe is definitely the guy in the black pants!
BAHAHA!!
Sadly, that is pretty accurate.
I love this mindset on balance and rythym Tony! No matter how hard we try to find balance in our lives, it will never happen. Life isn’t a balance. It’s a rythym. Love it!
It’s actually pretty difficult to shift into the mindset of rhythm because I’ve been told my whole life the value of balance.
I’m not into astrology or anything but I will admit that I’ve always felt a sense of understanding that being a Libra, I have an inherent sense of balance.
If anything, I feel like it’s hurt me rather than help me. This is a big deal in my life and I’m going to keep exploring it as I get more understanding.
Great way to describe it, Tony! I’ve often said that trying to stay in the middle doesn’t work. It takes an extreme to break out of that. We may not live there in everything, but it will help us get where we need to be. Thanks man.
Exactly, Jason. It’s not about staying in the extremes forever. We have to learn the rhythm of life to go in and out of extremes and in and out of rest.
Sure thing jonny cash! Get Rhytem! To much of good thing is bad for you bro…
I can’t dance. except maybe for a cumbia here or there…
Life is like a dance club…i think that’s how that song goes…lol…or Life is the dance floor and God is Dj…i don’t know…something like that….it works…lol…
Wow you’re all over the place with your song metaphors, huh Arny? Haha!
The Rhythm Is Gonna Get Ya!
Life is the dance. And we can only begin to live it while we are in motion. I don’t want to just stand still – I want to be living it.
That’s exactly how I feel, Cindy. There’s no use trying to do everything equally. Rhythm lets us know when to focus on one thing and put something else down.
I’m not trying to dance and juggle at the same time.
Days can be sunny with never a sigh
Don’t need what money can buy
Birds in the trees sing their dayful of songs
Why shouldn’t we sing along?
I’m chipper all the day
Happy with my life
How do I get that way?
Look at what I’ve got:
I got rhythm, I got music, I got my man
Who could ask for anything more?
I’ve got daisies in green pastures
I’ve got my man
Who could ask for anything more?
Old man trouble I don’t mind him
You won’t find him ’round my door
I’ve got starlight
I’ve got sweet dreams
I’ve got my man
Who could ask for anything more?
Awesome post, Tony!!
Love the lyrics, Randy. That’s exactly it. Thank you so much for stopping by today. It means a lot!
That’s exactly the song I thought of while reading this post!
Great insight, my friend! I totally agree. Trying to maintain balance may hinder growth in a particular area in one’s life. This is a must read!
Thank you for your constant encouragement!
Love me some rhythm, Tony! Love me some harmony! And, you know, I can’t stand balance – is too much of God’s will not good?
This is a beautiful post. Harmony and rhythm are like love and marriage: “Ya can’t have one without the other”.
I’m going to steal your last line! (Okay, I’ll give you credit.) But I’m going to rework it to read: “A life of balance is a life of stills. A life of harmony is a life of reels.”
Keith, you’ve definitely inspired my thoughts on both harmony and rhythm. I just read a book about the concept of rhythm. It was fantastic, but honestly I believe you will take the concept even further.
And take the line my friend, its all yours. Take it and amplify it!
“the rythm is gonna getcha, the rythm is gonna getcha… tonight!!!” Miami sound machine baby!!!! (I think).
Rythm to me is when you know when to switch from one step to the other… fluidly, without hesitation or harm to your dance partner. I think it’s like that in life too.
* my wife was lifted from her feet when we danced in a sweet sixteen. These hips don’t lie Tony… they don’t lie!
No!!!! The earworm you released is eating my brain out, Moe! Make it stop! Make it stop!
Come on shake your body baby, do that conga!
But did her hips make you wanna speak Spanish? Como se llama? Bonita? Mi casa, su casa?
I’ve got rhythm, but I feel like posting this anyway…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haTNDAch7Vo
I’d rather dance all night than smile woodenly for a picture.
Is this what I have to look forward to when I have kids??
Tony are you sure you don’t do yoga???
That’s one of the best things I’ve learned – balance is great but the growth happens in those moments of transition, when move from one pose to the next . Life has a rhythm and a balance. And holy crap what a blast from the past with that song. Have a beautiful day friend! Excellent post!
Ah, I like that. Growth happens when moving from one pose to the next. Awesome way to expand on the metaphor!
I love a good blast from the past! The more bugged out, the better. Thanks Camicia!
Wow…I forgot how weird the music video is for Rhythm is a Dancer. There’s not as much dancing as you would think there’d be. But way more black latex body suits than there should be.
I’ve had a hard time finding rhythm anywhere other than the dance floor. I’ve pushed myself through times of rest and I’ve rested when I needed to hustle. I think these last 5 months have helped me understand the importance of rhythm as opposed to balance.
I love going back to old videos and remembering how creepy they were. It’s always so cool and hip in the moment.
Nothing beats the Total Eclipse of the Heart video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj-x9ygQEGA
I still can’t wait to see you on the dance floor!
I honestly view covenantal Christianity as a martial art. (well, in the spiritual realm, at least)
Martial arts takes balance, rhythm, discipline, timing, focus, hard-work, discernment and commitment. Yes. So how is our faith any different?
I balance between The World and The Kingdom. I have to. As to rhythm, my movements and gestures coincide with the flowing music that the Spirit has placed in my heart like a symphony.
I like the martial arts metaphor! You should write about it.
Would you say that you balance the world and the kingdom because you’re sometimes in the world and sometimes in the kingdom? Or partially in one and partially in the other?
Or would you say you harmonize the fact that you are in the kingdom while being in the world?
It can seem like semantics but I think the concept is bigger than balance and the harmony/rhythm idea fits more appropriately.
Definitely in The World and in The Kingdom at the same time, but also as my Father prompts. So it is kinda a mix of both your questions.
I have no problem flowing in either, because even The World answers to His Sovereignty and bows at His Name.
However, at times He does propel me further into The World for a specific reason, and a specific purpose. Normally it is then that the “martial arts” aspect of our faith come into play. (and rightly so)
I have a draft of the “martial arts and Christianity” subject saved already. I simply haven’t released it.
Awesome man. I agree. We should be moved and guided by the moving of the Spirit which instructs and encourages us in the various seasons of our lives. This is the source of our music!
Absolutely, Jonathan. Holy Spirit is the musician and we can only catch the rhythm when we’re tuned in.
I love that! I’m going to have to expand on that one for sure!
T,
If you do, let me know beforehand. I have one titled, “The Symphony Within Me” that might complement yours.
I like that, “The Symphony Within Me”. I’ll let you know!
I hear you man. Scott @ServingStrong talks about rhythm all the time. In fact, for me it’s much more important than balance. Balance is hard to maintain, but rhythm is what its all about.
Yeah, both Scott and Keith Jennings have been an inspiration for overcoming the “balance” myth.
side note: the title made me thing of snap!
Yeah, I linked to the video in the last paragraph. It’s hard to see links right now. I need to play with the colors to make them stand out.
I’m not sure how I missed that. #Ifeelbadformissingit
I have so much that I pulled off the perfect rendition of the Humpty Dance at our last office party!
Better watch out, white man dancing!
“The Humpty Dance is our chance to do the hump!”
Man, I would pay good money to see that! Dance party next time I’m in MD!
You got it brother!
Rhythm in dancing? No…I definitely don’t have that. However, I’ve found rhythm in life. Right now I’m entering a season of rest and growth.
And for the record, I owned that La Bouche CD in high school and college. Feel free to judge me!
That’s so important, Ernie. Just like it is important to know when to hustle hard, it’s time to know when to rest.
And don’t worry man, I’m not judging. I love me some 90s dance music!