School and Community Fall 2023

Striving for Balance

Perspective

BY MSTA PRESIDENT STACY BLAKLEY B alance is a delicate dance of integrating various aspects of our lives. It is important to find equilibrium in three foundational areas: relationships, physical well-being and work-life. This is something that I continue to work on daily. This year, I visited Bunker Hill Retreat in Mountain View. We had some free time and decided to go on a hike with some friends. Hiking is outside my comfort zone due to a lack of balance and confidence. At the start of the hike, I took advice from author Brenè Brown and shared my vulnerability. I shared with these friends that during my childhood, when I would go down hills or do anything vaguely dangerous, my mother would say, “You are going to fall!” These five small words have replayed in my head countless times throughout my life and have been crippling. That particular spring day at Bunker Hill, I decided that I had listened to those five words in my head for the last time. When I shared this, my new friends could have laughed or told me that I was silly for giving words such power. They did not. One said, “Well, that was very unkind and not at all helpful.” The other handed me a trekking pole and off we went! My life changed. I traversed creeks and slippery rocks with no issues. I walked with confidence through areas that would have previously left me unable to move forward. We reached a steep embankment that needed to be trekked to appreciate the beauty of what we have since named “The Magic Spring.” One friend handed me his trekking pole so I would have a complete set. When I made it to the spring, both friends clapped and cheered as if I had won a gold medal! They insisted upon taking my picture so I would always remember that day. My friend who had generously

allowed me to use the trekking poles took the time to give me instructions on coming back down the embankment. Those small acts of kindness and encouragement were life changing that day. Healthy relationships are the foundation of our emotional well being. I encourage you to surround yourself with people, like my hiking friends, who encourage you to be your best self. They will tell you the truth and have your best interest at heart. During my time at Bunker Hill, my friends could have had very different reactions - they could have laughed, or patted me and said, “It’s okay if you don’t want to go.” I am thankful that they had the best response possible. They encouraged me and gave me the tools I needed to be successful. Physical balance is also important. We all know the importance of exercise, eating right and getting enough sleep. Prioritizing exercise is the area in which I often struggle, but am trying to do better. My recent purchase of trekking poles is helping! Finding a work-life balance is an ever-pressing challenge. Balancing career expectations with life necessities can be daunting. We all know about the videos required by school insurance companies each year. My work-life balance strategy is to watch these videos after the start of contract days. Other professionals prefer to complete them before the start of school, but both of these strategies have great value and neither is better. Work-life balance is extremely personal. There is no magic recipe. Give yourself permission to find your own unique balance and when it comes to the work life balance of others, remember this quote from Walt Whitman: “Be curious, not judgemental.”

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