13 — Balancing Being and Doing

Chapter Thirteen Balancing Being and Doing

As channels for the universe,we must have available a full range ofexpression and emotion.Ifthe higher power tells us to leap,we must be able to leap without stopping to ask questions.Ifit tells us to wait,we must be able to relax and enjoy a space ofnonactivity until the next message comes.We will always be pushed by our inner guidance to explore aspects ofourselves that are less developed,to express and experience ourselves in new ways.Ifwe ignore these inner impulses,we will be forced by external life circumstances to explore the opposite polarities from the ones we are most comfortable with.One way or another,our higher selfmakes sure that we get the message ofwhat we have to do.At times we

may swing from one polarity to the other until we come into balance.

You can expect that your intuition will lead you in directions that are new and different for you.Ifyou are comfortable in one type ofpersonality or pattern,you will probably be asked to start expressing the opposite.It’s good to know this,especially when you’re in the process oflearning to hear your inner guidance.A good rule might be to “expect the unexpected.”

One ofthe most important sets ofpolarities that we need to develop and balance are the energies ofbeing and doing.Most of us are more identified with one ofthese energies,and disown the other.

The two types could be called the “doers”and the “be-ers.” They roughly correspond to “type A”and “type B”personalities in common psychological terminology.

The doers are people who are primarily action-oriented.They know how to get things done,and they usually aren’t afraid to put themselves out there and take risks in expressing themselves or trying new things.Basically,they are good at expressing their outgoing energy.They have trouble receiving.They don’t like feeling vulnerable.The most difficult thing for them is doing nothing — not being engaged in some type of constructive activity. Unstructured time makes them uncomfortable and they usually fill it up with lots ofactivity.They tend to be driven and have a hard time really relaxing.Their male,active energy is more developed, and they may be somewhat uncomfortable with their female, receptive side.

Be-ers are mainly oriented toward inner attunement.They know how to relax and take it easy.They enjoy the subtle pleasure oflife and often know how to nurture themselves and others,and how to play.They are usually flexible,and are happy to “hang out” with unstructured time.They may have trouble with action.They fear putting themselves out in new or unusual ways and tend to hold back a lot.They aren’t very assertive and sometimes have trouble expressing feelings or opinions.They worry about what others will think ofthem.They may be uncomfortable in the world and lack the confidence to deal with people,business, money,and so on.Their female,receptive energy is more developed and they may be uncomfortable or distrustful oftheir male, outgoing side.

Ifyou are primarily a doer,your intuition will almost surely lead you in the direction ofdoing less.Your feelings will tell you to stop,to relax and take a day off(or a week,or six months!),to spend more time alone with yourself,to spend time in nature,to spend time with no plan and no list,and just practice following the energy as you feel it.Ifyou consistently ignore these inner messages to slow down,you may develop a minor or major illness.This may be the way the universe forces you to become more balanced.

The hardest thing for a doer is getting no message at all,having to hang out and wait and “do nothing”until further guidance comes.I am primarily a doer,a list-maker,a very active person,and one ofthe hardest things for me has been when the universe has forced me to do nothing! Yet,I find that those times are the most powerful and inspirational ofall because that’s when I can really

stop long enough to feel my spirit.In fact,I finally realized and had to admit that I kept busy all my life in order to avoid feeling that power.I was afraid of“empty”time and space because it was actually so full ofthe universal force.

Ifyouaremorecomfortablewithbeingyouwillundoubtedly bepushedbyyourinnerselfintomoreaction,moreexpression, morerisk-takingintheworld.Thekeyforyouistofollowyour impulsesandtotrydoingthingsyouwouldn’tnormallydoon impulse.Youdon’thavetoknowwhyyou’redoingsomethingor seeanyparticularresultfromitatfirst.It’simportanttosimply practiceactingspontaneouslyonyourfeelings,especiallywhenit comestodealingwithpeople,expressingyourcreativeenergyin theworld,makingmoney,oranythingelseyoumightnormally avoid.Don’tpushyourselfharderorfartherthanyouarereadyto go.It’sveryimportanttorespectyourownboundariesandrhythms forgrowing.Makesurethevoiceisn’tcomingfromyourinner authoritarianself,saying,“You should putyourselfoutinthis way.”(Ifit’sa should, it’sseldom thevoiceoftheuniverse.)Rather, followthefeelingsyouhavethatguideyoutopracticeexpressing yourselfandbuildingyourconfidenceinasupportiveway.

Meditation

Get comfortable and close your eyes.Take a few deep breaths and each time you exhale,relax your body and mind into a deep, quiet level ofconsciousness.Imagine yourselfas a very balanced person.You are able to relax,play,and nurture yourselffrequent-

ly,and you enjoy having time and space in your life when there is nothing special you have to do.Yet you act on your feelings and impulses spontaneously,express yourselfstrongly and directly,and risk trying new things whenever you are inspired to do so.You live in the full range ofbeing and doing,so you can follow your inner guidance in whatever direction it leads you.

Exercise

Ifyou are primarily a “doer,”spend one day consciously doing as little as possible.Take note ofhow you feel and what happens.

Ifyou are better at being than doing,take a day to practice acting on any impulse or inspiration you have,without expecting any particular results.Try several new and unusual things,especially things that involve making contact with people or putting yourself out in the world in new ways.Notice how you are feeling before, during,and after you do this.