Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Balance

We walk the balance beam,
juggling days,
as if they were not numbered.
The rat race,they say.
When did life become a race?
And when did we become rats?
The spirit asleep to reflection,
the spirit numb to the moment.
When did happiness become something
that we need to learn?
Multitasking,
one eye open,
mental fatigue.
Technology affords us play,
instant gratification,
we are seduced by it.
We fail to breathe in our moment,
lost and gone,
our moment wasted.
at

86 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 17, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    "We fail to breathe in our moment."

    That is so true. I'm lucky if I remember to breathe at all! Balance is the HARDEST thing for me to find. I'm always either doing too much or too little. Right now I'm stuck in the too little stage.

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  2. Brian MillerMay 17, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    so much lost in those moments we dont take the time to savor...this is probably the 5th post this morning on time...synchronicity

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  3. ClaudiaMay 17, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    yes - the balance beam is not that easy to walk...When did happiness become something
    that we need to learn?...this hit!

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  4. AnonymousMay 17, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    This is lovely, Ayala. Lovely and powerful.

    I wish I had read this before taking my 3 year old to the store this morning. I was rushing us around, tugging on his little arm, trying to hurry him. But why? "When did life become a race?"

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  5. Randy BehaviorMay 17, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    I'm always running... even to yoga. The flowers whiz by and I think, "I'll stop and smell ya later." Speaking of which I gotta run and get my kids so we can hurry up and spend some relaxing time together :P

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  6. Rachel HoytMay 17, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    SMART words! Seriously... when did happiness become something we had to learn?! :o)

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  7. UnknownMay 17, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    To live in the moment...a true necessity. How simple joy is when we let it occur, like here with your piece. Thank you for the moment ~ Rose

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  8. SulthanaMay 17, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    Beautifully put.

    We fail to breathe in our moment,

    ^ love this line

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  9. signed...bkmMay 17, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Balancing life is an art I have come to believe...your remind us here...bkm

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  10. PattiKenMay 17, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    Wise words, very well put. When, indeed, did we become so intent on getting through the day that we lost sight of the life?

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  11. UnknownMay 17, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    oh, yes, truth in every word here, and it's scary. i feel like things are spinning so far in this direction that they'll have to come around in a drastic way to wake us all.

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  12. Mystic MargaritaMay 17, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    So true...every word packs a punch. Everyone is in such a rush that no one has the time to appreciate the finer things in life any more.

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  13. LeslieMay 17, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    "juggling days,
    as if they were not numbered."

    love this line. i think there is a theme appearing in this one shot...

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  14. AnonymousMay 17, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    In days past, one had to make something of the moment...now we dwell in the moment on facebook applications. Makes one cringe a bit. Gratificaton maybe but...how much long term joy does Farmville give a person? Oy. Focusing on the end bit, I know, but a strong piece throughout, with very strong points about life today. Very unfortunate...

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  15. moondustwriterMay 17, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    Not only excellent as a poem but as a statement. the simple life is so over looked yet a healthy alternative to the commotion of regular living.

    Nice submission to One Shot - thank you

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  16. HopeMay 17, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    oh yes! very nice contemplative piece!

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  17. UnknownMay 17, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    So many gifts and blessings leads to so many choices and options. Great treatise on modern life.

    http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2011/05/16/as-i-am-meant-to-be/

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  18. KBMay 17, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    I feel like this sometimes. Life takes over and we need to remember taht we only get the one life so we should enjoy it.

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  19. Joe HeschMay 17, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    I only recently became able to understand, or slowed down enough to enjoy, a poem like this. Yours is a universal message well-told in heartfelt terms that so few recognize or embrace. Maybe if more read this, they might. Thank you, Ayala.

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  20. AnonymousMay 17, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    Well written observation of the human condition...staying in the moment is one of the hardest things to do. Vb

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  21. Kelly MillerMay 17, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    I needed to read this tonight. You know, when I'm tired but refuse to quit trying to catch up on blogs, and watch Glee, and design a Facebook landing page for a client. Yeah, needed to read this tonight.

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  22. ReflectionsMay 17, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    A very profound write... how often we become seduced by the gadget and miss the sunrise....

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  23. UnknownMay 18, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    every day feels like
    a music video and
    the dance never ends

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  24. Apryl GonzalesMay 18, 2011 at 12:50 AM

    Amen sista! Love this piece :)

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  25. budh.aaahMay 18, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    We became rats as soon as we forgot to live because of all the runnin and the mental fatigue..nice one shot Ayala.

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  26. AnonymousMay 18, 2011 at 5:02 AM

    I can't relate to the question about when happiness became something we needed to learn - when did it become something that was automatically guaranteed?

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  27. LaurenMay 18, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    Oh I needed this today. Thank you. I'm not sure when life became a race but I'm racing, can't seem to stop. I feel scattered and unclear. I keep thinking things will slow and they don't. Ah.

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  28. AsobimeMay 18, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    A very insightful poem, Ayala.

    Lady Nyo

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  29. AdrienneMay 18, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    It tool me a long time to realize/admit that I didn't like multitasking...too bad I had become really good at it! You write from a still and centered place ~ I know that coming to visit you will be refreshing. Thanks.

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  30. TALONMay 18, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    So much truth, ayala. We can split ourselves into so many pieces, we're unrecognizable. I loved this.

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  31. AnonymousMay 18, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    Some hard questions in this, and much wisdom. Thanks for sharing.

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  32. AnonymousMay 18, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    So true, very insightful piece. I have to say the picture of the dog put a huge smile on my face, I just love their adorable happy faces. Both dogs and children know the real meaning of life, we forget as we get older.

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  33. FinallyMay 18, 2011 at 3:40 PM

    "When did happiness become something that we need to learn?" Great question!

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  34. BelindaMay 18, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    Life is not a race, we are not rats, and, when, indeed, did happiness become a textbook lesson? So much truth and wisdom in this, Ayala. Thank you.

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  35. LauraMay 18, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    beautiful Ayala...and it is true, technology can pull us out of the "moment" very true...but it can also pull us closer...connecting us deeply to souls we otherwise would never have met. It is all in how we use it I suppose. We can choose to allow it to open our hearts as we slow down to read precious words, feelings, thoughts and view images that touch us deeply.

    Thank you for your thoughtful poem and for leaving so many loving comments on my blog.

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  36. RudriMay 18, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    Powerful and wise. When did life become a race? And whose rules determined it to be that way?

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  37. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    Caroline, it's a juggle,isn't it?

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  38. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    Brian...smiles..here's to savoring the moment :)

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  39. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    Thank you, Claudia :) It hit me when I was writing it..it wrote itself!

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  40. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    Thank you, Kristen. I hope you savor the moment...

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  41. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Randy, I see it everyday with family and friends...

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  42. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    Thank you, Rachel. :)

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  43. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    Thank you, Rose. That's sweet of you :)

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  44. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    Thank you, Sulthana.

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  45. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    Thank you, Barbara. It is an art that is simply hard to achieve....

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  46. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    Patti, I agree :)

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  47. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    Lori, it is scary and hard....

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  48. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    Thank you,Mystic Margarita. That's a lovely comment :)

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  49. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    Leslie, it does seem like everyone thinks it's going to last forever....

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  50. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    Chris, that's the point that if we balance it then it's great but on most days I am not sure if we achieve that balance :)

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  51. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    Thank you, Moondustwriter :)

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  52. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    Thank you, Hope. I hope all is well with you :)

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  53. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    Thank you, Kim.

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  54. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    KB, you are right we should take the time to enjoy our life :)

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  55. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Thank you, Joe.

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  56. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    VB, it's true ....so hard to be in the moment :)

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  57. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    Thank you, Kelly. I know you've had your plate full. I am thinking of you and your community...wishing you well!

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  58. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    Thank you, Petrina :)

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  59. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    Matt, good way to express it :)

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  60. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    Thank you, Apryl :)

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  61. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Thank you, Budh.aaah :)

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  62. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Anton, good point...nothing is ever guaranteed.

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  63. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Lauren, sigh...the race continues...I tell myself all the time to slow down and enjoy the moment fully ...I hope you find some clarity and rest soon :)

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  64. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    Thank you, Lady Nyo.:)

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  65. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    Thank you, Adrienne. I love your visits here :)

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  66. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    Thank you, Talon :)

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  67. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    Thank you, Arspoetica :)

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  68. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Mindlovemisery, I am happy that my dog put a huge smile on your face...I hope you enjoyed that moment :) You are right children and dogs have so much wisdom that we need to recapture.

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  69. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 8:00 PM

    Thank you, Finally.

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  70. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    Thank you, Belinda. For your beautiful spirit that always shines :)

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  71. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    Laura, you make a valid point here. That's why balance is so important to enjoy our life and to also connect with those that make our life richer with their open hearts.

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  72. ayalaMay 18, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Thank you, Rudri. xo.

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  73. VictoriaMay 18, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    You touch a nerve that plagues our society. Even retired, it's so easy to become so busy that we forget to live in the now. Nicely written.

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  74. MargaretMay 18, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    ...as if they were not numbered! Now that's a wake up call! Excellent!

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  75. LolamouseMay 18, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    So true. I love the line "when is happiness something we need to learn?" There's a seminar for everything now!

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  76. Monica @ bohemian twilightMay 19, 2011 at 2:23 AM

    "The spirit asleep to reflection"

    this made me so sad.

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  77. AnonymousMay 19, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    So much truth in your words. I make sure I take a walk in the world around me often, if I didn't I wouldn't function. The simplicity of nature brings me back into balance.

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  78. ayalaMay 19, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    Thank you, Victoria. :)

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  79. ayalaMay 19, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Thank you, Margaret :)

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  80. ayalaMay 19, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    Thank you, Lolamouse :)

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  81. ayalaMay 19, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    Monica, it is sad.....

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  82. ayalaMay 19, 2011 at 6:44 PM

    Thank you, Pandamoniumcat :)

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  83. CloudiaMay 19, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    thanks for the wisdom



    Aloha from Waikiki

    Comfort Spiral

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  84. ayalaMay 20, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    Thank you, Cloudia.
    :)

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  85. Vinay Leo R.May 20, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    When did life become a race and we become rats?! I ask myself the same question each day, without answer.. Beautiful poem Ayala.

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  86. ayalaMay 20, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    Thank you, Leo.

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