The obligation of balance

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Susanne Herbert
  • 22nd Maintenance Group
According to Webster’s Dictionary, the definition of balance is: an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady; keep or put something in a steady position so that it does not fall.

From our first day in the Air Force, we are schooled on our core values: integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. We cautiously reach into the newly planted training banks and doggedly begin to apply what we learned as we master our first job in the Air Force.
Somewhere along the way, the core values became a figuratively living, breathing thing where we shall put all things, but except the Air Force behind. Service before self does not mean Air Force before family, before health and before your higher power. Nor does it mean working later and later and longer and longer. Do you ever look around to see if anyone
works as late as you, why? It’s unbalanced.

We have an obligation to ourselves and our families, both home and Air Force, to present the best version of ourselves. We cannot do this exhausted, stressed and angry. It is a given that work will be here, there’s always going to be something to save over to the next day, its ok. You need to hear it again? It’s ok. Know when to say when. STOP. For just a few minutes, read something fun. Meditate or just stare out into space and think about nothing.

Yes, you can and you must make time. Take a brief walk around your building, work it out, cry it out, breathe it out… it doesn’t matter what – just what just find your balance. You owe this to yourself and to those around you. Balance for life and maybe, just maybe, we can be a little better today than yesterday, and maybe still a little better yet tomorrow.