Creating Harmony

Creating Harmony vs. Finding Balance

Last week, I talked about using a theme for the year and maybe even choosing a word that epitomizes your big goals for your life. Many people have shared their words with me: confident, balance, vessel, intentional, and trust. Those are all great words. However, one always stands out when I do this exercise: balance. To me, this is a very challenging word.

Balance

Balance – to keep or put (something) in a steady position so that it does not fall. This is the standard definition of balance. I don’t know about you, but this sounds hard to me. Some of the other definitions are not much better: a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions or
an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady. It seems to me that trying to create balance requires constant supervision. You must do more than balance something once and expect it to stay. Even tires have to be re-balanced occasionally.

Harmony

What people are really looking for is harmony. Harmony is the quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole.
Notice the word consistent. Once harmony is created, it is less likely to become inharmonious. The art is in learning what makes life harmonious.
To create harmony, you must understand what notes are being played in your life. Who is the brass, and who is in the string section? The brass might be your boss. The strings could be your family. Are they both playing at the same tempo? If not, who needs to speed up or slow down?
What piece of music is being played? Does everyone have the same score? To answer these questions, you need to know the ultimate goal and share your vision with the orchestra members.

Next, we come back to balance. We have all been to a concert where one person sang too loud
or one instrument seemed to upstage everyone else. Notice where your symphony is out of balance and take action to bring everything into alignment.

Here’s to a harmonious year.