Finding Center (When Everything Feels Off-Balance)

I'm sitting cross-legged on my living room floor, surrounded by half-unpacked boxes and the chaos of a home in transition. There's something both unsettling and deeply familiar about this in-between state – much like the collective energy I feel humming through our country right now.

Last week, I gathered with a group of remarkable Uplifters at our retreat. We sat in circles, shared stories, and reminded each other of a simple truth: transformation doesn't happen in isolation. It happens in community, through the quiet work of those who choose to show up, again and again, with curiosity and daring.

(And yes, we also laughed until our sides hurt – because that's part of the work too.)

Here's what I keep coming back to: In times of uncertainty (whether it's a national election or a personal transition), our instinct might be to seek balance. But what if instead of balance, what we really need is centering?

Balance suggests equal distribution, a perfect equilibrium. But centering? Centering is about knowing where your core is and moving from there. It's about having a strong enough foundation that you can lean into the work that matters, even when – especially when – things feel wobbly.

I'll be honest: Right now, all I want to do is nest. I want to arrange and rearrange my new space until it feels like home. Part of me feels guilty about this pull away from "more important" work – the book proposal waiting in my drafts, the projects calling for attention.

But here's what I'm learning: This isn't procrastination. It's preparation.

When we honor our need to create stability in one area of our lives, we're not avoiding our larger purpose. We're building the foundation that will allow us to serve more fully, more authentically, more sustainedly.

As we move toward Tuesday's election (deep breath), I'm reminded that the most powerful change-makers I know share this quality: they're deeply centered in who they are and what they stand for. They're not perfectly balanced – they're purposefully grounded.

To my high-impact, high-capacity friends out there (you know who you are), this is a gentle reminder: Your work in the world isn't just about what you do. It's about who you are at your center. And sometimes, tending to that center – whether through creating a home, nurturing relationships, or simply taking time to breathe – is the most important work we can do.

Because when we're centered, we can lift others without losing our footing.

With hope and determination,

Aransas

P.S. For those feeling anxious about Tuesday: I believe that Uplifters aren't just optimists – we're realists who choose hope as a strategy. Whatever happens, we'll keep showing up and putting in the work. That's what we do. That's who we are.

P.P.S. Mark your calendars for March 13th - Uplifters Live Event, Round Two is coming! More details soon, but trust me, you won't want to miss this!

P.P.P.S. Our listener survey is still open. It’ll take less than 5 minutes to complete and you’ll have a hand in shaping the future of The Uplifters Podcast and Substack.

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Your Next Uplifter

Our next episode of The Uplifters Podcast is headed your way on Thursday, featuring

Susan McPherson

, author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Business Relationships.

Susan was nominated by

Daisy Auger-Dominguez

. Listen to her episode below.

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Melanie Cohen

! I am so fired up about our decluttering challenge and can’t wait to see what happens when we free up space for what’s next! Recording below, for those who missed it or want a refresher.

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