Musings: Creating Balance In Life…
“The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man.” Euripides
Musings: Creating Balance In Life...
Lately, I’ve been thinking of ways to balance and/or integrate the demands on my life and time. Most of us start out with good intentions to accomplish our goals and then life happens. So what do we do? Something, I presume, we’ve all learned from experience is that when we create a realistic schedule for ourselves, we are less inclined to feel rushed or stressed than when we just take on projects and let events happen to us. Sure, creating a work/life balance remains a constant concern for most people. However, before we create a plan to make our lives less hectic and more balanced, it is imperative that we ask ourselves three fundamental questions: Intention – What do I want to accomplish with my life now? Purpose – Why does it matter? and Plan – What must I do to achieve my plan?
“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” Thomas Merton
Musings: Creating Balance In Life...
✿♡✿Intention
Sometimes, we look at other people and their lifestyles, and wish we could have same. But the reality is that our lives are different, and each individual is here or called for different goals. If we stop to think back to our childhood days and the things that gave us much joy or, at least, some joy, we can act with intention as we map out a plan that is both realistic and beneficial to our lives. We must look at our current circumstances and ask ourselves the question: What do I want to accomplish with my life now?
Another important thing to consider once we ask the question is how we use our time; to take a look at our personal clock. When are we most alert? Are you a morning person or a nocturnal soul? When do you do your best work and can you create a schedule that fits your personal inner clock? Is this feasible in your work environment? How can you find ways to maximize your effectiveness during your alert time? All of these questions demand that we spend some time observing and evaluating what we do at certain times and when we are at our most productive.
“For me, it’s important to be in balance. To not let fear get in the way of things, to not worry so much about protecting yourself all the time.” John Frusciante
Musings: Creating Balance In Life...
✿♡✿Purpose
There is something to be said for the European midday nap-time because it gives everyone a chance to regroup and refresh the mind. When we make time to rest and regroup, we are able to look at our day and separate the important things from the minutiae. We get to ask again – Why does this event/project/assignment matter? Meditation; both seated and walking forms can give us another way to refresh our minds during the day. Prayer is another way we calm our mind and refocus our intentions. Exercise helps rejuvenate our bodies and our spirits and is recommended too. More Below. 😉
“There’s always more demands than there’s time to meet them, so it’s constantly a matter of trying to balance them.” Marc Andreessen
Musings: Creating Balance In Life... A life Balance sculpture by Ralph Tikerpae
✿♡✿Plan
When my kids were younger, we created a schedule for them that included nap-time, mealtime and outside activities. The schedule allowed pockets of time when I could have Me Time to focus on myself and the things I needed to do for work. It varied from day to day but always included prayer/meditation time so I could regroup and rest. Regardless of the goals we have, it is important to create a schedule or a daily plan that includes some time for reflection in our daily schedule of activities. Why? Our creative, intuitive side is enhanced when we give ourselves time to regroup and resolve or find solutions to issues.
“Everyone spends their lives trying to balance their world between good and evil.” Laurell K. Hamilton
Musings: Creating Balance In Life...
Every day, I am reminded that the need for balance begins in our heart and mind, flows through our actions, and then flows back to the place of peace within. Making the time to be quiet and reflect on what remains to be completed ahead of us, allows us to adjust our schedule if needed and then focus on the things that truly matter. What about you? What are your thoughts? What do you do to create balance in your life?? What stands in the way of your efforts? Do you believe we humans can live balanced lives? Do share! Thank you. 🙂
This post was modified from another entry I wrote on my Positive Kismet blog.
Positive Motivation Tip: In the midst of a hectic day, pause, catch your bretah and revisit your intention for the day…
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Chinese balance bowl act, Balance scales, Work/life balance, Life balance sculpture, Balance help, via Wikipedia
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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I love the first photo…definitely creating balance.
Yes. Impressive isn’t it? 🙂
You are so right, I believe that too. A coherent balanced lifestyle is difficult to achieve, but it is only through action , reflection and experience that we can try to achieve it.
TY for your feedback…All that juggling requires a lot of prep time. 🙂
I like how you emphasize the importance of having “me” time to regroup. When I worked in corporate America, I would take the time during business hours to go to the chapel in the lobby and meditate for a few minutes. Very wise article!
Great idea. When I taught at a Catholic college, I did the same and always felt rejuvenated. TY! 🙂
I sure do know when I’m not in balance! And I’m afraid everyone else knows, too. I often just need to find some quiet. I really liked the Merton quote. Important words, said well! Debra
TY Debra. I think we all know when we are out of kilter with the world. The only problem is that not everyone knows the value of a meditative break from things. 🙂
Absolutely right! The images are all apt as well!
TY dear Madhu! 🙂
The first image reflects balance perfectly.
TY Savira! Where do we find your blog on the internet?
Will reread when I have more time…because “balance” is just what I need right now…Thanks…~mkg
TY! We all need it somehow. 😉
This post was so timely. I have neglected my mat and my meditation lately due to … me. I have been getting in the way of me and making excuses. I can schedule time for everything else but me. The distraction of homework, laundry or going to take photos. Necessary things. Sometimes fun things. But not the best things for me 🙂 Thank you for reminding me that we all struggle with this.
TY for sharing your struggle… We learn from each other. 🙂
Thanks for the ping back…best of all it connected me with your blog!
TY for the connection too. I’m glad we met in the blogosphere 🙂
I have to agree that balance is the key to a contented life. And for years I’ve envied the European mid-day nap custom. That always seemed like a good idea to me. In fact, a couple of years ago I decided that I would build that time into my practice come the day I am licensed and able to hang out my own shingle! 🙂 A very timely post, indeed! Thank you.
TY too and yes, nap time makes perfect sense to me too… 🙂
It’s so tricky isn’t it? We’ve been adjusting to my husbands retirement. He really needs to find a hobby outside the home because 24/7 is truly screwing up my balance. 😉
b
😆 Oh boy, I do hope he finds something to keep him busy too.
I think balance is something we all work on but few rarely achieve. The great thing is that even when you fall down and lose balance, you can get back up and start again. Thanks for the inspiring post. Miriam
TY for your insight… We fall, we get up and start again… true. 😉
Good post! I learned about the importance of balance the hard way and I cannot emphasize enough how vital it is to our well being. I was a driven person and kept going and going, then my body told me in an extremely harsh way that enough was enough.
I hear you Fergie… My body did same to me and it does take a lot of discipline to not go overboard. TY! 🙂
Great formula: Intention+ Purpose + Plan = Balance.
Because I’ve always worked for other people who dictate my schedule, I’ve never considered the question, “When do you do your best work and can you create a schedule that fits your personal inner clock?”
Thank you Elizabeth.
TY too! Could it be applied to your off work timetable? 🙂
A balanced mind and heart and spirit manifest outward into a balanced life. Harmony and peace result, not only for ourselves, but all around us. Bless you for this most helpful post.
Bless you too… Balance is important in what we do but it is also difficult to achieve… 🙂
I’m a very early morning person, and would love a “siesta” in the afternoon. I’m pretty sure my employer frowns on sleeping at my desk while at work. 🙂
When I was younger, I didn’t need naps or take them but now I do and feel refreshed afterwards… It really is a shame that some employers don’t approve.
Enjoyed this post. I need to bookmark this page, so that I can easily find it when I need a reminder about the value of creating balance in my life.
Oh TY and how have you’ve been? I haven’t seen a post lately…. Hope you are keeping balance in your life. 🙂
But there is a difference between happiness and contentment. This blog post rather seems to be about the latter…
Hi Petchary, some might argue that a content life is a happy one… It all depends on what we value most. TY! and good to see you here. 🙂
I enjoyed this post, very thought provoking.. Balance is important, sometimes we end up spending way too much time at work and not enough time with our children. Now, as I reflect back, I realize, no raise, no promotion is worth losing valuable time with growing children. They are only with you a short time. Make the most of every minute you can. “me time” is important too. If there is not enough time for “me”, I agree with you.. make time.
Yes, and what you shared is what many working moms struggle with… It isn’t easy when you are the breadwinner too… creating balance is a delicate act and I applaud all who try. TY! 🙂
I think what we humans lack in modern life is observation time, the time that the philosophers/scientists of old used to just sit and observe the world around them and the effects of one thing on another – many of us feel that we should always be doing something towards some goal and that ‘wasting’ time doing nothing is a crime
We can reclaim it but many are anxious about losing precious time to the competition… I agree with you. 🙂
“Sometimes, we look at other people and their lifestyles, and wish we could have same” I am guiltyof that at times. Thanks fot the wonderful words of encouragement today!
TY and we are all guilty of doing that from time to time… makes us human, right? 🙂
Great work again my friend EXCELLENT post 🙂
TY for your feedback Jake! 😉
Balance? Balance, you say? What is that……………… exactly…………..
*Smiling* I am striving to achieve it.
We all are Robin! TY! 🙂
Thank you Elizabeth for this really nice post. It was a thought provoking post. Your words always encourages each one of us.
“Everyone spends their lives trying to balance their world between good and evil.” Laurell K. Hamilton This quote is a really meaningful one. The most difficult job for all human beings is to balance the good & evil in them. 🙂 Great post as always.
Aye dear friend … I agree. The balance of good and evil sustains our planet and requires vigilance. 🙂
I try to get enough sleep. When I’m well rested, it’s easier for me to balance the rest of my life. When I’m over-tired, it’s an uphill battle.
Yeah, I hear you…. rest is an important aspect of creating balance. I need more rest. TY! 🙂
I’ve always managed to balance job, family, friends, and home until the past few years. I’m wondering how the balance will shift when I retire in June.
I would be curious to hear from you on that new shift. Blog about it… 🙂
You must have been reading my mind. Been thinking about balance a lot lately especially when I see blog posts piling up and I can’t find time to read them. And I wonder why I haven’t been able to keep up now that theoretically, I have more free time. Still working at it.
I’m still sifting through the mountains of email posts… It will take a while and balance is a key factor of it all TY! 🙂
This is one of my on-going struggles, but considering everything, we are doing the best we can and as I am happy most days, I think that’s pretty good. Love the peace even in your words and love that this post shares a little bit of you as well. Hope today is ‘yournewfavoriteday!’ xo
Amen and TY for your kind words… Sending you hugs and more… The struggle is one we all share for that fine line between balance and chaos is always beckoning to us. TY! 🙂