You know I'm not a fan of "work/life" either, but I don't mind the use of the word "balance".
Here are three arguments for that:
- Yours, of the orchestra. A well-balanced symphony never has each instrument or even each section sharing equal parts or volume. The string section usually carries the heft of the work. But it is the minimally invasive and perfectly timed entry of heavier instruments that build the drama and punctuate meaning.
- Food. We would never imagine using equal parts spice to protein, or any other ingredients. Perfect proportions, sometimes minuscule, create a balanced dish to the palate.
- Athletics. Balance rarely means standing Square on both feet equally. Especially my beloved hockey. Seeing me stretched out to one side with my stick 6 ft away on one foot, with my other skate 3 ft in the air, no one would say that is a vision of balance. And yet it requires activating hundreds of tiny muscles to maintain balance.
The root meaning of balance derives from comparison between two whereas harmony means a congruent joining together. I would posit your 'balanced' meal is actually a meal in harmony more than a co-equal balance.
In your orchestra example I would see balance as the co-equal and of course as you note, that is NOT what makes an orchestra beautiful. It i s the highlighting of one over another with well timed over emphasis on different parts and players.
I love the thought exercise here! Thanks for the question. Maybe this would make a good chat discussion.
I may agree David and this very topic came across my mental door this morning :) that of the work person somehow not being at the same time a non-work person. When one goes to work does not the one take themselves physically and mentally to work...good and not so good? We have a job that we get paid for yes...we are obligated to do what we get paid to do for those on a clock at a site or remotely working for a company. I propose there is a work-life balance not in equal terms but in relative ones as the same person is involved and must make choices as such. EG at work you get a call that your young son was just involved in an accident....of course you ask to leave to take care of it. You are at home and a work text of importance comes in...do you address it and get back....for most of us...YES. Done right there can be a great synergy that helps us cumulatively develop and grow without much suffering on either end and actually enjoying them more!
David, I love the distinction between balance and harmony. Harmony seems to capture reality best for me, too, in this situation. I love "Plan like an adult yet hope like a child."
I'm delighted to hear that Michèle. I spent months pondering this before settling on the importance difference harmony makes over balance. I'm glad it speaks to you as well. And yes, what fun to operate like an adult while embracing the attitude of hope in a child.
"Plan like an adult while you hope like a child."
I love that one so much, David!
You know I'm not a fan of "work/life" either, but I don't mind the use of the word "balance".
Here are three arguments for that:
- Yours, of the orchestra. A well-balanced symphony never has each instrument or even each section sharing equal parts or volume. The string section usually carries the heft of the work. But it is the minimally invasive and perfectly timed entry of heavier instruments that build the drama and punctuate meaning.
- Food. We would never imagine using equal parts spice to protein, or any other ingredients. Perfect proportions, sometimes minuscule, create a balanced dish to the palate.
- Athletics. Balance rarely means standing Square on both feet equally. Especially my beloved hockey. Seeing me stretched out to one side with my stick 6 ft away on one foot, with my other skate 3 ft in the air, no one would say that is a vision of balance. And yet it requires activating hundreds of tiny muscles to maintain balance.
Your rebuttal?
😉
The root meaning of balance derives from comparison between two whereas harmony means a congruent joining together. I would posit your 'balanced' meal is actually a meal in harmony more than a co-equal balance.
In your orchestra example I would see balance as the co-equal and of course as you note, that is NOT what makes an orchestra beautiful. It i s the highlighting of one over another with well timed over emphasis on different parts and players.
I love the thought exercise here! Thanks for the question. Maybe this would make a good chat discussion.
I may agree David and this very topic came across my mental door this morning :) that of the work person somehow not being at the same time a non-work person. When one goes to work does not the one take themselves physically and mentally to work...good and not so good? We have a job that we get paid for yes...we are obligated to do what we get paid to do for those on a clock at a site or remotely working for a company. I propose there is a work-life balance not in equal terms but in relative ones as the same person is involved and must make choices as such. EG at work you get a call that your young son was just involved in an accident....of course you ask to leave to take care of it. You are at home and a work text of importance comes in...do you address it and get back....for most of us...YES. Done right there can be a great synergy that helps us cumulatively develop and grow without much suffering on either end and actually enjoying them more!
David, I love the distinction between balance and harmony. Harmony seems to capture reality best for me, too, in this situation. I love "Plan like an adult yet hope like a child."
I'm delighted to hear that Michèle. I spent months pondering this before settling on the importance difference harmony makes over balance. I'm glad it speaks to you as well. And yes, what fun to operate like an adult while embracing the attitude of hope in a child.