“Life is truly a ride. We’re all strapped in and no one can stop it.”
– Jerry Steinfeld
Do you remember ever being on a seesaw? Some may have referred to them as teeter-totters. I’m probably dating myself since I haven’t seen one in decades, let alone been on one. Still, the memory came rushing back as I thought about how life often feels—with constant shifts of ups and downs as we strive for balance. Can you relate?
For those who never experienced the fun of one, a seesaw is a simple piece of playground equipment—a flat board, usually made of wood or metal, with a handle on each end. You straddled one side while a playmate sat on the other. When the weight was somewhat equal, one person would push off the ground, lifting the other high into the air. Then gravity would pull them back down as the other rose. The rhythm of push, rise, fall, and rise again was the essence of the game.
The truth is, life is not much different.
It’s the ebb and flow of living. Sometimes we feel lifted, light, playful, free, and joyful—riding high, seeing the world from a greater perspective.
Other times, we feel pulled down by challenges, doubts, fears, losses, and unexpected twists that can feel heavy. As adults, we’ve learned to attach more meaning and reaction to everything that presents itself, rather than simply observing the feeling in the moment and letting it go.
Just like the seesaw, the experiences of life are not meant to be static or perfectly balanced. The movement, the shifts, the energy between highs and lows—that’s where we learn to change our perspective, grow, surrender, and transform. We are responsible for how we respond to our circumstances. The heart and soul know we are far greater than all of them.
How is life filling you up in all these moments?
When you are “up,” are you consciously savoring the joy, creativity, excitement, love, and freedom—without fear of the inevitable fall? Do you generate a feeling of gratitude?
When you are “down,” are you allowing the pause to ground you, teach you, and prepare you for the rise that’s coming? Even in these moments, can you find gratitude?
When life pushes you down, what might your heart and soul be asking you to release so that you can rise again with a lighter heart?
The seesaw reminds us of a few truths about living:
• We need others. A seesaw doesn’t work alone. Life is richer when shared—whether in laughter, sadness, support, or love.
• We are divinely supported. Even when you feel alone, Spirit is your eternal playmate—never letting you hit the ground too hard, always ready to lift you again.
• Balance is dynamic. True balance isn’t about staying in the middle or standing still; it’s about moving with the rhythm, adjusting, and trusting the flow of life. Lean into that trust, and let Spirit bring peace to your heart and soul.
• Ups and downs are natural. Just as gravity guarantees the motion of the seesaw, life guarantees change. Neither high nor low lasts forever, and both have purpose.
• Bring play into your day. We get to choose—and are responsible for—our thoughts and responses in each moment. Be open to new perspectives, be more lighthearted, stay grateful for what you have, and anchor those feelings and experiences into your heart and soul.
The truth we often forget is that we are never on the seesaw alone. We need others on the journey—friends, family, partners—and most importantly, we always have Spirit. Divine Love is a steady presence at the core of our being.
If you have upsetting thoughts, focus on taking a slow, deep breath, allowing yourself to stay grounded in the moment without attachment to the past or future. In those moments, there is freedom and inner peace.
Next time you find yourself asking, “Is life filling me up?”, remember the seesaw lesson: the joy of life isn’t in being perfectly steady—it’s in embracing the wild ride.
