 Spiritual Balance
by Winn Claybaugh
author of Be Nice (Or Else!) And What's In It For You
Spiritual balance is often described only in conjunction with religious beliefs. However, I wish to propose that spiritual balance means having peace of mind with what you believe in. I know a lot of very religious people who go to their church, temple, or mosque every week, but some of them don’t seem to have peace of mind with what they believe in. In fact, sometimes, rather than bringing them peace of mind, their beliefs bring them more guilt, fear, and judgment of others—they bring out the worst in them. To me, that’s not spirituality.
As you go seeking your spiritual mentors and playmates, I’d like to respectfully offer some take-it-or-leave-it advice: Those you seek may come from unexpected places.
In addition to the obvious spiritual mentors and comrades, try looking in other places. In fact, look everywhere. Maybe your best mentors and spiritual allies never step foot in a church or synagogue. Your spiritual guru could be sitting on the surfboard next to you waiting for the next wave. Your spiritual ally could be the tattooed, multipierced convenience store cashier. Your spiritual guide could be the kindergarten-age child who seems to do nothing but smile and stare at you on an airplane. Wow! Think of the possibilities.
Years ago, after driving my cherished BMW convertible for over 120,000 miles, I was on my way home from leading a very lucrative motivational seminar when my dream car decided to blow up on the freeway. Luckily, I was able to coast off an exit and right into the parking lot of a nearby convenience store.
Once I gathered my thoughts and threw a “poor me” pity party, I realized I was in an unsafe part of town. I also realized I wasn’t alone. Although I hadn’t immediately noticed him, I soon became aware of a man who had instantly run to my aid. Apparently, he’d seen my car coast into the parking lot and, for some reason, decided to take me on as his project and to protect me. While I angrily used my cell phone to call a tow truck, he proceeded to comfort me by telling me that he was an auto mechanic. He quickly began working under my smoking raised hood, all the while conversing with me in what I remember to be a very kind, comforting conversation. “Where are you from? What do you do?” he asked. “I hope your family isn’t worried about you. I’ll try to find out what the problem is and see if I can fix your car.”
After being told by the tow truck company that it would be more than an hour’s delay, and after my stranger-mechanic friend reluctantly proclaimed no hope for my BMW, I halfway surrendered to what I’d previously considered to be an annoying conversation. I began to answer his questions about who I was, adding, “No, my family won’t be worried about me. Thanks for asking.” I then told him that I was a motivational speaker on my way home from a seminar I’d just facilitated in Los Angeles.
“Oh, you mean like Zig Ziglar?” he asked.
“Yes,” I proclaimed.
“I used to listen to Zig Ziglar tapes. I loved those tapes.”
“Well, I’ve got some motivational tapes of my own in the trunk,” I said, as I opened the trunk and offered him, for free, a set of my motivational tapes. My newfound friend continued on with his kind conversation and words of consolation for my unfortunate situation, and assured me that he would stay with me until the tow truck arrived.
After listening to his relentless comforting for a while, I finally started asking my rescuer about himself. “What’s your name?” I asked.
“Brian,” he answered.
“What do you do?”
“I’ve worked as an auto mechanic.”
“Where do you live?”
“Over there,” he pointed.
“In that apartment building behind the convenience store?”
“No,” he replied.
“Where then?” I asked.
“In my car, with my wife and my little boy, behind the store.”
With a huge flood of emotion, I suddenly realized what a fool I’d been. For over two hours, this kind, unassuming man had comforted, humored, and protected this high-priced, BMW-driving, motivational “expert.” And although I offered him money, and a “let’s go to the grocery store” proposal, the only thing he would take from me—gratefully and humbly—was my motivational tape series. And oh, how grateful he was. “I’ll cherish this forever!” he proclaimed as I climbed into the cab of the tow truck.
Right then and there, I felt as if the entire universe was grinning at me with a sort of “Silly boy” type response. Oh, did I have a lot to learn about where my next teacher would come from and who knows what else.
A lot of preachers and motivational speakers (including me) claim to be many things, but this man was the true guru for those two hours. If I’d had a tape recorder or a camera with me that day, the masses would have been impressed by his example.
Winn Claybaugh is the author of BE NICE (OR ELSE!), with foreword by CNN's Larry King! He has been in the beauty industry since 1983, and is the founder of Paul Mitchell The School, with several locations throughout the U.S. In 2004, the North American Hairdressing Awards (NAHA) recognized Winn's contributions by awarding him the Hall of Leaders Award. Winn has been a speaker and educator for many years. He is the National Motivational Expert for Paul Mitchell, and has worked with thousands of businesses, including companies such as Vidal Sassoon, the Irvine Company, Entertainment Tonight, Mattel, For Rent magazine, Structure/Limited Express and others. In its November 1997 "Super Heroes" section, American Salon magazine called Winn a "mover of mountains" and "Mr. Fix-it." Winn has also served as vice president of the AIDS Relief Fund for Beauty Professionals, and continues to pursue many fundraising projects.
For speaking engagements, or to order Winn's book BE NICE (OR ELSE!), call 1-800-459-4007, or visit www.BeNiceOrElse.com
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