The wisdom of sway

-Karthik Gurumurthy

I used to think balance meant having everything perfectly split—work and rest, happiness and sadness, giving and taking. But life kept messing up my plans.

Then I noticed how nothing in nature stays still. The planets move, the tides shift, our hearts beat without us thinking about it. Everything’s constantly changing, but somehow it all works. So why do we freak out the second something changes?

Real balance isn’t about keeping everything perfectly even. It’s about learning to roll with whatever comes. Like dancing—you just adjust as you go.

We lose our balance when we hold on too tight. I get successful and act like that defines me. I get sad and convince myself it’ll last forever. I want something so badly I tie my whole self-worth to it. Every time I grip this hard, I get stuck—and stuck things break.

What I’m learning is to flow with it. Be flexible like bamboo bending in the wind. Enjoy the good stuff without clutching it. Accept the hard stuff without thinking something’s wrong with me.

Sometimes being balanced actually looks unbalanced. Some weeks I need to work hard. Other weeks I need to rest hard. The scales might look lopsided at any moment, but inside, I can still feel centered.

Think about a tree in a storm—the branches whip around, but the roots stay solid. The tree moves with the wind. That movement is what keeps it from breaking.

How This Works in Real Life

In the morning: Three deep breaths. Today will have good and hard stuff, and both are okay.

When good things happen: I enjoy the moment without freaking out that it won’t last. “This is awesome, and things will change eventually, and that’s fine.”

When bad things happen: I ask “What can I learn from this?” instead of “Why me?” The hard stuff still sucks, but it doesn’t feel like I’m failing at life.

In relationships: Balance isn’t keeping score. It’s being present to what’s needed. Some days I support; other days I lean. It balances out over time.

Making decisions: I ask: “What feels right based on my values?” Balance becomes less about perfect math and more about being real.

The Daily Practice

Real talk: Some days I still hold on too tight. But now I catch myself faster. I notice the tension, and I think, “Oh, I’m gripping again.” Then I relax, breathe, and ask, “What if this is just part of how life goes?”

Things I Actually Do:

• At night: Write down one good and one hard thing. Ask what each taught me.
• When I walk: Right foot is the comfortable stuff. Left foot is the challenging stuff. I need both to move forward.
• Throughout the day: Notice where I’m gripping. Physically relax. Remind myself it’s okay to flow.
• My mantra: “I move, therefore I balance.”

Final Thought

This isn’t about never falling. It’s about being kind to yourself when you do. It’s about trusting you’ll find your balance again. Get back in touch with your rhythm. Remember you were always part of this dance—you just forgot for a minute.

And when you forget again (because you will), remember: even the stumble is a step. Even falling is part of learning to fly.