Vertigo of life

I suffer a few health issues that at times tend to make life run a little less smoothly.   Vertigo tends to challenge me periodically.  It’s a dizzying sensation in which I lose equilibrium.  Sometimes accompanied by light-headedness, vertigo causes me to go through my day with unsteadiness.  Perception is tilted and there is a feeling of wavering motion as I am trying to move forward or even just be.  On those days, all I want is to have balance restored.

I realize that this is actually a physical manifestation of how so many of us exist in daily life emotionally, spiritually, and physically.  Many of us find ourselves juggling so much – schedules, commitments, concerns, quests for perfection, quests for success – that we seem to be endlessly searching for some kind of balance in life.  And finding balance in our lives is important for studies have proven that a balanced life improves mental and physical health.

So the questions become – How do I find balance?  How can I live life feeling balanced?

There is plenty of advice on how to have a balanced life:  get organized; create daily routines; establish a good support network; be flexible; simplify your life; track your time; leave work at work; nurture yourself; learn to say no; rethink your errands; drop activities or even people that sap time and energy; establish and focus on your priorities; take down time; exercise; relax.

While all of these pieces of advice may hold benefit, I have learned from experience – both in my physical struggle and in life – that the ONLY way to overcome loss of equilibrium is to focus beyond…    The answer/cure/solution will never come from inside yourself or a source that exist within this earthly realm. 

Peace… balance…  contentment…  answers… come from beyond and above; from a God who knows, cares, and loves.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

“For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…I can do all this through him who fives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

A "roundtuit"

I can remember the first time I saw one. My initial reaction was that it was somewhat playfully ingenious – insightful. People constantly say that things will get done when they get a ‘Roundtuit’.

If I actually had a Roundtuit I could accomplish all those things sitting in piles around my house - the pile of dishes, the pile of school papers, the pile of house papers needing to be kept filed, the pile of laundry that I never seem to totally complete, the pile of pictures I want to put into memory books. And this is only what comes to mind of what is actually visible. Peek into any other room or the garage and you can find more reasons for my needing a Roundtuit. That circular object would help give me the ability to get those things (and more) done that I’ve been putting off. Just think about it – no last minute struggles, no doubting if it can be completed, no facing what I’ve procrastinated.
Oooh, here’s a thought - I could get Kid 2 and Kid 3 each a Hoptuit. We’d really make things happen and get things done. Then what we really need is a few Sticktuits. All our jobs, projects, and plans would be completed then. Hmmm….


Time to get back to reality! No roundtuits, hoptuits or sticktuits that will magically bring about productiveness. I live with the reality that time is limited; waiting for perfect conditions never allows things to get done; and procrastination ends in slavery to never ending tasks.
So is there an answer or solution? Standing still I come to several conclusions.
First and foremost it is important to prioritize. The ordering of my tasks is necessary. I remind myself how important it is though to set aside the “Be Still” moments with my Father. When I do, all else seems to fall into place and is put into perspective.
Then comes planning. Several quotes come to mind: “He who fails to plan, plans to fail” and “Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans”. The quotes are contradictory at best. But both are true. Balance and flexibility becomes key to making plans. Possession of each will ensure productivity as I follow through.
Finally, I need to keep my heart into all that I do.


Rountuits, Hoptuits, Sticktuits – are wishful.
Perspective, balance and ‘heart ‘n’ tuit’ – is a productive reality.


Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you
Matthew 22:37-ff Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

Using both oars

We were talking with a neighbor about kayaking.  Growing up in the midwest, the closest thing to kayaking was an old aluminum rowboat we used on the lake.  It’s been awhile since I’ve thought about that rowboat.  When we were young we’d sit next to each other taking an oar and row out onto the lake.  I’m chuckling as I remember that we often ended up rowing in circles because one of us was older and stronger as we handled the oars.  The older or stronger one had to temper their stroke to match that of our partner to straighten out.  Once we were old enough to row on our own, we often still would find ourselves rowing in circles due to a dominant stroke that may have depended on the stronger arm – right or left.

As I stand still, I think that rowing in that old rowboat is kind of a metaphor for life.  And a question arises for me …

Am I rowing straight ahead or going in circles?

In the daily grind, we interact with people on all different levels.  As I work with people, do I sit along side of them and temper my rowing?  I may need to give that other person encouragement, patience, understanding or maybe guidance and instruction so we can pilot our course.  I may also need to be on the receiving end of that encouragement, patience, understanding or guidance which means admitting my own fears, shortcomings or flaws.  Hard work.

Am I rowing straight ahead or going in circles?

When I try to row out into life on my own am I using both oars?  Can I recognize when I’m so focused one aspect of things, pulling hard on that one oar, I’m actually just going in circles wearing myself out?  Or what about those times when I get overextended and I try to row a little to this side and a little to that side, a little to this side, a little to that side?  Progress isn’t really made very well that way either.

What is really needed as I row my boat is a coxswain.  The coxswain is someone who sits in the stern of the boat facing the bow – he steers and coordinates the rhythm of the rowing.  The coxswain is in command of the boat, provides motivation and encouragement, directs and can see all that lies ahead keeping the boat safe.

A smile crosses my face – I have the perfect coxswain.  All I need to do is to listen to His calls.  Acknowledge Him as the master of the vessel.  If I do I will be on course, avoid unnecessary accidents, never get worn out rowing myself in circles and am guaranteed to reach my destination.

I think I’m ready to keep rowing my boat!

Proverbs 3:5-6   Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths (rowing) straight.