The Search for Balance...In a World Gone Mad

Here's my story. When I turned 40, twelve years ago, I was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis). Literally and figuratively, I've spent the past decade creating a formula for balance. You might say that I've conducted a very personal experiment on my central nervous system, the results of which have opened my eyes to a new work-life-style, in this fast-paced, high-tech world.

I've concluded that living "in balance" requires a consistent effort, because balance, is a verb! It requires action, dedication and a plan.

By shifting our awareness, and embracing a powerful 3-step process that I've come to know well, we can begin to slow down, STOP the instanity, integrate BALANCE, and then GO; hopefully, in a new gear. This is my formula for balance and I'm passionate to share it with you. Stop, Balance, Go!
When I began to research the human nervous system, I was surprised to find that the autonomic nervous system uses a 3-step process for repair as well! There are two components of our central nervous system that were designed to balance one another, called the sympathetic and parasympathetic. When your sympathetic nervous system is called into action (green light) by outside stimulus, it uses energy. Your blood pressure increases, your heart beats faster, and digestion slows down. The result is catabolic, in other words, it breaks down the body. When the sympathetic nervous system is turned off (red light) and only when it is turned off does the parasympathetic nervous system begin saving energy (yellow light). Your blood pressure decreases, your heart beats slower, and digestion can start. This process is called anabolic, repairing the body. We need to consciously activate this process more often in order to balance the scales and keep ourselves well!

Have you ever thought about the abuse your nervous system takes on any given day? It’s almost always pumping adrenaline and preparing you to fight or flight. All this, and there are no tigers chasing after you, or nipping at your heels; just the life that we have come to know as “everyday.” While our nervous systems haven’t evolved much throughout time, technology has, and it’s going to require intervention to turn off the adrenaline flow and rejuvenate. Clearly, you can either make the conscious decision to implement the Stop, Balance, Go process, or as in my case with MS, it will be implemented for you. You decide.

Throughout my years of healing, I’ve repeated the cycle of Stop, Balance, Go more times than I can count. Each time I get myself settled from a minor disruption, which I’ve come to appreciate as mild reminders (or caution lights), I resume my activities. But, if those activities exceed the limits and comfort zone of my nervous system, I am gently but urgently nudged to repeat the cycle again. The “myth of balance” is that it only takes one cycle to bring about permanent balance. Not so. Balance is a VERB. There is a process for the maintenance of balance that is ongoing. That process is Stop, Balance, Go!

Today, as I look out into my world, I see many of my friends and colleagues experiencing their first big RED light awakenings. That’s why I’m passionate about sharing this process for saving lives. Because you see, for most, traffic isn’t flowing very smoothly, and for some, the commute has reached a break-neck speed that is dangerous and threatening to all who share this road of life.

Join me in my efforts to bring balance and wellness to our world. Join me on The Alternate Path to wellness.
© 2005-2009, Cassie Schindler/The Alternate Path