Walking the line

We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to walk a perfect line. 

We’re constantly seeking a perfect balance between two competing desires or interests.

We try to walk the line between work and play, responsible and irresponsible, planned and spontaneous, taking care of others and ourselves.

But when we focus too much on trying to walk a perfect line, we lose sight of what it means to be in the moment and experience what’s happening right now. 

We question whether we should be doing more or less, working harder or resting, taking more action or exercising patience.   

We get caught up in believing that other people are walking it perfectly, and that they’re judging us because we’re not. 

But focusing on the line robs us of our ability to be present and understand what we need.

The truth is that we rarely experience what it’s like to walk that perfect line. 

Instead, life is a series of natural shifts that take us back and forth from one side of the line to the other. 

And even when we do experience a moment of “perfection,” that moment only lasts so long.

Try this: 

Instead of moving through your day focused on how to walk a perfect line, consider how you might shift your mindset toward accepting where you are in this moment, judgment free. 

A good place to start is by identifying one area where you might be unfairly asking yourself to “walk the line.” 

Then ask: “How can I start to pay less attention to the line and pay more attention to the state of my mindset?” Practices like meditation or quiet time help us recognize when we’re caught up in trying to do things perfectly.  

Orientation is important. Striving for a midline and a sense of balance is necessary and grounding. 

If you do believe you’ve strayed too far to one side, focus on how can you course correct gradually and without judgment towards a steadier center.

This will help you shift from being preoccupied with walking the line to a place where you have the awareness to evaluate what you actually need right now. 

The answer is usually on one side of the line or the other.  

Go have a great workday.