Maintaining balance

  • Published
  • By Col. (Dr.) Timothy Brininger
  • 349th Aeromedical Staging Squadron commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Air Force core values: Integrity first, service before self, excellence in all we do. Many articles have been written about these and rightly so. They are critical to the success of the Air Force and our great country. I would like to talk about them as they relate to the concept of balance.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines balance as "a state in which different things occur in equal or proper amounts or have an equal or proper amount of importance" and as a state of "mental and emotional steadiness."

Can we have balance as we live the core values; are they compatible or mutually exclusive ideas and how do you define and achieve balance in your life?

As I pondered these questions, I was initially surprised at how easy it was to believe they may not fit together very well. After all, how can one be in equilibrium, but also be excellent in all they do?

As a physician, I believe balance is important. The study of biology teaches that a state of equilibrium is vitally important for all living creatures to survive. If you change any variable, you can disrupt the organism and cause its death.

As a taxpayer, I also recognize the importance of balance. I may want the largest military, the best social programs or free medical care for the poor, but I must balance my desires with the fact that I have to pay for them. To maintain my readiness, I need to exercise, but if all I do is work out, I will make my family destitute and homeless. I need to also go to work. Balance is important.

Integrity first: Be committed to your word. When you mean what you say, you develop the trust in yourself that allows others to trust in you, then a "state of emotional steadiness" is sure to be present.

Service before self: How does one find balance while serving our nation? This is where I get a little personal. As a citizen Airman, I have a different level of commitment to the Air Force on a day-to-day basis, as I did when I was on active duty.

I am still prepared. However to answer my nations call, I maintain my military skill set, my physical readiness and my fitness. I do all these things as a part of my life, ingrained into my lifestyle. I have found a sense of balance by assigning the things that I do with a proper amount of importance and thereby maintain readiness without upsetting the balance required for daily life.

Excellence in all we do: This was harder for me. How is one excellent in everything? Is it possible to be excellent at everything? Should I cut back and only do things I am already good at so I can become excellent at them, even though it would limit me greatly? I could even get excellent at the Defense Travel System if it was all I ever did.

Perhaps this is not how "excellence in all we do" should be understood. I believe I have the ability to give my best effort in whatever I am doing, at that moment, and provide excellence. I must remain dedicated to improving my skill set at all times, but also to expanding my capabilities as I keep a sense of balance in my life.

When doing an officer performance report, I focus on the officer and their career. When dining out with my spouse, I focus on her and our relationship. It is sometimes difficult, even impossible, to remove all distractions, but it is important to try. Balance comes about as we develop into complete people.

Reflect on your own life. See if you are living by the core values, but also if you have developed them within a framework of balance. The three-legged stool of family, civilian job and Reserve duty stays balanced when using those core values. That balance keeps you ready to do your duty and answer your country's call.