Life is all about balance - Maarten Schafer
Life balances what we can control and what we cannot. Learn to live life between effort and letting go.
Have you ever stopped to think about what keeps our lives in harmony? It’s the subtle, ongoing balance between the forces we can control and those we simply cannot.
In the grand scheme of things, we often fixate on outcomes. We strive, plan, and push our lives according to our desires. But here’s a realization I’ve come to after many twists and turns: not everything is under our control, nor should it be.
The most gratifying moments came when I found the courage to let go of what I couldn’t change. I remember struggling with a project at work that was impacted by so many external factors that it seemed doomed. The turning point came when I acknowledged that I had done all I could and that the outcome was no longer in my hands. That shift in mindset — from gripping tightly to letting go — is liberating.
Living with this balance means understanding when to put your foot on the gas and when to take it off. So, how do we cultivate this balance?
It starts with awareness. Pay attention to the moments when you push too hard against an immovable obstacle.
Next, practice flexibility. Life is unpredictable, and rigidity only sets us up for disappointment. Learn to pivot and adapt. Sometimes, our alternative paths lead us to unexpected successes and teach us valuable lessons that straightforward journeys might not.
Lastly, embrace the concept of ‘good enough.’ Perfection is a myth, often an unattainable standard that can cause more harm than good. Striving for excellence is commendable, but not at the cost of your mental health or happiness. Sometimes, doing your best is good enough, and that’s okay.
Life is a delicate dance between making things happen and letting things happen. As I continue on my journey, I am constantly learning to balance my urge to control with my ability to surrender. It is in this balance that I find my peace, my strength, and my greatest lessons. Life, after all, isn’t just about the destination; it’s about finding equilibrium on the path we walk.
“Quite some years ago, I started traveling the planet. I thought this would teach me something about the world we live in. I was wrong… It taught me something about myself. It changed me. And nothing will ever be black-and-white again.”
– Maarten Schafer –
