Guest Post: The Balancing Act

photo by Shopping Diva

Guest Post by Kasey Tross from The Beautiful Thrifty Life

 

This fall my two-year-old and I signed up for Mommy & Me gymnastics classes. As we began attending the classes and she started learning some basic gymnastic skills, I was surprised by how adept she was at the balance beam. Usually, being a two-year-old, her balance leaves a lot to be desired, but once she gets up on that balance beam, she just holds on to my pinky with one hand and scoots right along.

Her only downfall (literally) is when she loses focus on the end of the beam. Once she looks down at the beam or at one of the other children practicing another skill on the floor, she immediately begins to wobble and lose her balance.

 

One day as she was scooting along holding my pinky, I started thinking about how much living life on a budget is like walking on a balance beam: there is not much room for error, and distraction can lead to disaster and frustration. But I have also realized if you practice and start to get comfortable up there, not only can you stay on, but you can make it a thing of beauty.

 

Life on a budget can be difficult--much like walking on that balance beam. We have only a few inches on which to keep our footing, and if you try to pretend there’s an extra inch or two, you can completely miss your mark, lose your balance, and fall.

Up there on the budget balance beam, it is tempting to focus on the restrictions. It is tempting to stare down at the narrow beam and at the long drop on either side, to wish for money you don’t have, and gripe about a small paycheck. But once you start focusing on the limitations, you begin to lose sight of the goal.

For most, the ultimate goal is to someday have a little more wiggle room, so that the balancing act isn’t so hard. When you keep your eyes up and focus only on that end result--the dismount--you can keep your balance and put one foot in front of the other.

           

Another fatal distraction can happen when you start looking around at everyone else who isn’t walking the budget balance beam. They may be bounding across the floor doing their tumbling or soaring through the air on the uneven bars.

If all you do is watch them, you will long to jump off the beam and run out onto the floor. In the process, your focus on the end of the beam will be lost and you will fall. If you want to reach your ultimate goal, then that goal is where your focus needs to be--not on the financial situations of those around you.

 

We all walk the beam differently; there are some people who, like my two-year-old, gingerly scoot across the budget beam, somewhat unbalanced at times, nearly falling off once or twice before dismounting. But there are others who see the tumblers flipping and twirling across the floor and rather than be discouraged, they are inspired. They see the beam not as a limitation, but as an opportunity to test their skills and do amazing things.

Granted, they can’t leap and bound with the same freedom of those on the floor, but in their own way, up on that balance beam, they can turn their balancing act into a beautiful and graceful gymnastics show, just as remarkable as those on the floor, even with only a few inches on either side to work with. Time after time, cartwheel after flip, they nail the beam and come up with arms outstretched, smiling triumphantly.

 

So, what are the financial life lessons I learned from the balance beam? Don’t look down, don’t compare your financial situation with those of the people around you, and keep your eye on the ultimate goal: financial freedom. Remember, too, that sometimes it’s not just about staying on--it’s about making the most of the journey, about exercising your creativity, and finding real joy in your beautiful thrifty life.           

Kasey Tross is a stay-at-home mother of 2 living in Richmond, Virginia. She celebrates the fact that the most beautiful things in life don't cost money and blogs at The Beautiful Thrifty Life.

Comments

[Maria]

You've been nominated for the Lemonade Award. Thanks for all the hard work that you do on your blog!!!

Go to my site to claim your award!!!

Maria
Abigail’s Mommy

[Sandy]

This is so true. Thanks for the great post. I am currently trying to "perfect" my own financial frugal balancing act. Some months are good, some are not, but never give up!!

[Tami]

I printed off these coupons and they mentioned that they are only redeemable at BJ's. Did you use this coupon any where else??
Thanks

[Lisa]

So true!!!! Eloquently put and very inspiring. I shall endeavor to keep my balance.

[Cathe]

Excellent. Very encouraging!

[Casey]

It is truly a blessing to me a mom.
What a sweet child.

[Kasey]

So true. We want to be financially free soon too!!!

[Kasey]

So true. We want to be financially free soon too!!!

[Kasey]

So true. We want to be financially free soon too!!!

[Kasey]

So true. We want to be financially free soon too!!!

[BrandyEllen]

What a motivational and cute story! Thank you for posting it! ((HUGS))

[jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam]

Considering my blog named Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, your title of the Balancing Act quickly caught my eye. Great truths pointed out here....when done with purpose and intentionality, the balancing act can be a blast, even amidst the Bedlam. :)

[Pam]

What a beautiful story. Sometime I too look off at the 'happy' floor tumbling people and want to run over and play but if I do I always suffer in the end. It is always best to stay within your budget and as you said it can be fun and creative. Thank you for reminding me about what is important in life.

[yvonne]

THANK YOU!! Nice post. I have coached gymnastics for 20+ years and this is my mantra - "stand like a princess, eyes on the goal" - what works on the beam, works in life!!

[Amber Lynae]

Kasey nice post. This is Amber from Fairmont. I have subscribed to you other blog just recently via reader and then saw your guest post here. It made me smile because I subscribe here too. Thank you for your reminder about the challenges of a budget.

[Maria]

Thank you for sharing this article. I couldn't find it on her personal blog to comment, but wanted it known that is was a blessing to read.

[Laura]

Wow, I really appreciate your post, as sometimes living frugally seems so unattractive when I look at it from others' perspectives. I agree that it can be a thing of beauty if we let it be. Thank you for that beautiful, inspiring post, Kasey!

[Erin]

Thank you! You've nailed it exactly. The goal (besides a beautiful dismount!) seems to be getting so used to the narrowness of your beam/budget that it becomes comfortable instead of limiting, a place where God is glorified because it is He who holds us up. My mom says that the secret of being content is wanting what you have. Love my four inches!

[Tanya]

I was just wondering if anyone had actually used the coupon. When I printed it out it stated in the bottom right corner that it was only redeemable at BJ's.

[Carol S.]

What a beautifully well-written reflection. And your analogy is perfectly executed from mount to dismount! :-)

[Carol S.]

What a beautifully well-written reflection. And your analogy is perfectly executed from mount to dismount! :-)

[Terri]

Thank you for that beautiful post. It was a wonderful analogy. Trying to stay on a budget to achieve financial health has been hard, and this post has been very motivational, so thanks!

[Prudent Homemaker]

That was beautiful!

And fun, too! I saw right where I am, and I am loving it!