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Motivation Mondays: A QUESTION Of BALANCE

27/03/2017
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“Man maintains his balance, poise, and sense of security only as he is moving forward.” Maxwell Maltz

Motivation Mondays: A QUESTION of BALANCE - How do we create it in our lives?

Motivation Mondays: A QUESTION of BALANCE – How do we create it in our lives?

You see, we cannot draw lines and compartments and refuse to budge beyond them. Sometimes you have to use your failures as stepping-stones to success. You have to maintain a fine balance between hope and despair.’ He paused, considering what he had just said. ‘Yes’, he repeated. ‘In the end, it’s all a question of balance.” Rohinton Mistry, A Fine Balance
I don’t like the word ‘balance.’ To me, that somehow conjures up conflict between work and family… as long as we think of these things as conflicting, we will never have happiness. True happiness comes from integration… of work, family, self, community. Padmasree Warrior
A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life. William Arthur Ward
Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony. Thomas Merton
How seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves. Thomas a Kempis
No person, no place, and no thing has any power over us, for ‘we’ are the only thinkers in our mind. When we create peace and harmony and balance in our minds, we will find it in our lives. Louise L. Hay

What does BALANCE mean to YOU? I’m always thinking about how to balance and/or integrate the demands on my life and time. Most of us start with good intentions to accomplish our goals, and then life happens. So what do we do? Life doesn’t have to be a perfectly run machine, but we are responsible for making sure whatever drives or motivates us to act also helps us make wiser choices about how we manage our lives and time. We’ve all learned from experience that when we create a realistic schedule for ourselves, we are less likely to feel rushed or stressed than when we take on projects and let events happen to us. While creating a work/life balance remains a constant concern for most people, we need to evaluate the what/why of our daily routine and then map out a plan to tackle it. Before we create a plan to make our lives less hectic and more balanced, we must 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? Once we’ve answered those questions, we can take tender, reflective steps to create the life that best suits our needs.

Finding our balance in the ebb and flow of life is imperative; however, acknowledging both its blessings and burdens can sometimes seem frightening. It won’t be as scary if we remember that life is about seeing and appreciating the work in progress that we all are. If we were perfect, we would have no purpose; the struggle for meaning, mastery, and creativity would be pointless. Life is about creating moments; these yin-yang moments remind us that the ups and downs drive our growth, and we can/must move forward. Life is also made up of special and ordinary events that elevate and enervate us, and we can choose to fight the shifts or go with the flow. We can’t appreciate the balance without experiencing life’s ebb and flow; our motivations should come from seeking a positive response to the large and small movements, because that will make a big difference.

A Story:  The Headache  & Halo by Anon
One day, a man walked into his doctor’s office complaining. “Doctor, I have this awful headache that won’t go away. Please, could you give me a prescription for it?”
“I will,” murmured the doctor, pondering what had set off his usually calm patient. “But first, I want to check out a few things and ask you a few questions… Tell me, do you drink a lot of alcohol?”
“Alcohol?” the man shouted back indignantly. “I never touch that filthy stuff. Nor do I go near people who drink it. All filthy!”
“How about smoking?” the doctor calmly inquired.
“I think smoking is disgusting. I’ve never touched tobacco in my life.”
“Okay,” the doctor continued, “I’m a bit embarrassed even to ask this, but… Do you run around at night seeking dangerous pleasures?”
“Of course not! What do you take me for? I’m a highly spiritual and disciplined man, and I’m in bed by 10 o’clock every night.” The man spat back.
“Then, tell me…” said the doctor. “This pain in your head, is it a sharp, shooting kind of pain?”
“Yes, yes!” The man eagerly replied, his eyes lighting up… “It is… a sharp, shooting kind of pain.”
“Well, that’s simple, my dear fellow!” the doctor replied with a smile on his face. “The trouble is that you have your halo on too tight. All we need to do for you is loosen it up a bit; loosen you up a bit! Avoid the bad habits I mentioned earlier, and enjoy some innocent pleasures in life –  Create some balance. Let go of the rigidity. Live!”

“The cynic finds love with the idealist. The rebel with the conformist. The social butterfly with the bookworm. They help each other balance their lives.” Joyce Brothers

Motivation Mondays: A QUESTION of BALANCE - How do we create it in our lives?

Motivation Mondays: A QUESTION of BALANCE – How do we create it in our lives?

Faith gives you an inner strength and a sense of balance and perspective in life. Gregory Peck
The further we distance ourselves from the spell of the present, explored by our senses, the harder it will be to understand and protect nature’s precarious balance, let alone the balance of our own human nature. Diane Ackerman
Letting go helps us to to live in a more peaceful state of mind and helps restore our balance. It allows others to be responsible for themselves and for us to take our hands off situations that do not belong to us. This frees us from unnecessary stress. Melody Beattie
There is a fine balance between honoring the past and losing yourself in it. For example, you can acknowledge and learn from mistakes you made, and then move on and refocus on the now. It is called forgiving yourself. Eckhart Tolle
It is better to lose everything you have to keep the balance of justice level, than to live a life of petty privilege devoid of true freedom. Bryant H. McGill
Overcome your barriers, intend the best, and be patient. You will enjoy more balance, more growth, more income, and more fun! Jack Canfield

We want our best self to feel centered and in charge, yet we sabotage ourselves by overreaching, overcompensating, allowing disgust and fear to rule, and then flaming out. We run ourselves ragged and let unresolved fears of being left behind burn us to smithereens, alternating fears of success with a deep fear of failure. Mirroring the sacred and good work we do daily is the profane critic’s voice. “Not good enough, do more. Not good enough, say more. Not good enough, want more!” Until we shut that noisy, raspy voice up and embrace the magnificence of simple things around us, by pausing to smell scented jasmine petals, perhaps resting under the Jacaranda tree, we will lose balance…  We will struggle again and again to gain only snatches of joy. Sometimes, I wonder if all that rushing around and doing that keeps many of us endlessly and, perhaps, mindlessly occupied is a form of escapism. Is it a refusal to stop and focus on what we fear would happen if we STOP and BREATHE!? Who are you competing against? Where is your balance?

Wisdom Words: Balance Your Mind
Mind Studies was a lay self-improvement movement influenced by Zen. One day a follower of Mind Studies came to Zen master Shosan to ask about the essentials of Buddhism. The Zen master said, “Buddhism is not a matter of using your discursive intellect to govern your body. It is a matter of using the moment of the immediate present purely, not wasting it, without thinking about past or future. “This is why the ancients exhorted people first of all to be careful of time: this means guarding the mind strictly, sweeping away all things, whether good or bad, and detaching from the ego.”
“Furthermore,” the Zen master continued, “for the reformation of mind it is good to observe the principle of cause and effect. For example, even if others hate us, we should not resent them; we should criticize ourselves, asking why people should hate us for no reason, assuming there must be a causal factor in us, and that there may be other, as-yet unknown, causal factors in us.
“Maintaining that all things are effects of causes, we should not make judgments based on subjective ideas. On the whole, things do not happen in accord with subjective ideas; they happen in accord with the laws of Nature. If you maintain awareness of this, your mind will become very clear.” Source: Zen Antics

Motivation Mondays details are below. Join in! The themes for March/April 2017 are:

MARCH

03/ – March is Women’s History Month, National Nutrition Month, American Red Cross Month, Irish-American Heritage Month; 03/01 – Ash Wednesday and Zero Discrimination Day; 03/03- World Wildlife Day
03/06 – 08, International Women’s Day; 09, World Kidney Day
03/13 –  12, Purim starts and Daylight Saving Day; 13, Holi, 14, Pi Day, 17, Saint Patrick’s Day
03/20 – 20, International Day of Happiness/ First day of Spring, 21, World Poetry Day, 22, World Water Day, 23, Puppy Day, 24, TB Day
03/27 – 27, Doctors’ Day

APRIL

04/03 –    6, International Day of Sport, 7, World Health Day
04/10 –    9, Palm Sunday, 11, Start of Passover, 14, Good Friday
04/17 –    16, Easter,  22, Earth Day
04/24 –    24, Remembrance Day

Are You Looking for Ways to Stay Creative in 2017?

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– Join the Daily Post Post-a-day or Post-a-week Challenge.

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— Join the BlogHer Writing Lab

More Below!

“The man who has sufficient power over himself to wait until his nature has recovered its even balance is the truly wise man, but such beings are seldom met with.” Giacomo Casanova

Motivation Mondays: A QUESTION of BALANCE - How do we create it in our lives?

Motivation Mondays: A QUESTION of BALANCE – How do we create it in our lives?

One should see the world, and see himself as a scale with an equal balance of good and evil. When he does one good deed the scale is tipped to the good – he and the world is saved. When he does one evil deed the scale is tipped to the bad – he and the world is destroyed. Maimonides
Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle. Helen Keller
But if you can create an honorable livelihood, where you take your skills and use them and you earn a living from it, it gives you a sense of freedom and allows you to balance your life the way you want. Anita Roddick
There is no decision that we can make that doesn’t come with some sort of balance or sacrifice. Simon Sinek
It’s about having an active lifestyle, staying healthy, and making the right decisions. Life is about balance. Not everybody wants to run a marathon, but we could all start working out and being active, whether you walk to work or take an extra flight of stairs. Apolo Ohno

How can we create BALANCE? 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 time to be quiet and reflect on what remains helps us adjust our schedule as needed and focus on what truly matters. It takes faith, forgiveness of our need for perfection, action and compassion, self-love, and a desire for change to reach that place of inner equilibrium. Until we make peace with that voice that tells us we are not enough, we will continue to run ourselves ragged at the doorstep of our desires. Success isn’t about how hard you work, but how smart you work at what fuels your passion. There is a difference. Find your balance and rest there. 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?

A Story: Balance Of Nature
A wise Zen frog was explaining to the younger frogs the balance of Nature: “Do you see how that fly eats a gnat? And now (with a bite) I eat the fly. It is all part of the great scheme of things.”
“Isn’t it bad to kill to live?” asked the thoughtful frog.
“It depends . . .” answered the wise frog just as a snake swallowed the Zen frog in one chomp before the frog finished his sentence.
“Depends on what?” shouted the students.
“Depends on whether you’re looking at things from the inside or outside,” came the muffled response from inside the snake. Source: Zen Fables For Today

Have a Happy, Healthy 2017!

Any Zen Antics stories via Goodweb.cn

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Positive Motivation Tip: Balance and moderation in all things is key.

Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge, or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a Motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below)
Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment, and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com
Category tag: – Share your post using Motivation Mondays
Twitter hashtag: – Use this on Twitter #MotvnM
Dedicated Page: There is a dedicated page for Motivation Mondays. It has the same instructions and will include other helpful tools and a link to the round-up
Facebook Page: MotivationOnMondays. Join our page and add your post and/or any motivational piece you think will be helpful to others.
Facebook Community: We have a Facebook community forum to complement the page. It’s another way to share uplifting posts and thoughts. Please join in and add your voice.

Badge: – I created a fun badge using PicMonkey’s free photo editing tools. You can create your own, use WordPress’s integrated tool on your blog, or use mine. (see dedicated page)
Tag: – Motivation Mondays
Hashtag: – #MotvnM
Related Posts

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos via Balance; Yin Yang symbol by Klem; via Wikipedia and BALANCE via Pixabay

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

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from → Global & National Events, HUMOR, Love Life, Motivation Mondays, Positive Advice, Posts & Photos 2017
157 Comments leave one →
  1. Ana De-Jesus permalink
    27/03/2017 3:19 pm

    The story of the man with the halo made me think. By denying ourselves the simple pleasures or hiding that we like to have fun, we are sabotaging our own chance of success. There has to be a balance!

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      28/03/2017 10:38 pm

      Exactly. I get some of my ideas from the comments I read on my posts and there was one on another post about foods that gave rise to this post… The comment was about pure, clean, healthy, best, preferred foods, yada, yada, yada. What is “pure”? As I thought about it, I realized that anytime we turn a preference into a rigid chore/choice, something gets thrown off kilter. Balance and moderation in all things is my motto. Want a chocolate coated ice cream cone? Have one! Want carrot sticks for lunch? Go for it. Just don’t throw one out forever and maintain a spartan, dull life. Yep Ana, I agree. We all need Balance. Balance. Balance!

      Reply
      • Ana De-Jesus permalink
        30/03/2017 8:22 am

        Yes! Well put, in moderation we can eat anything that we choose to eat, as long as we don’t go overboard. If we deny ourselves snacks or sweet treats we will end up consuming more because it becomes this notion of the ‘forbidden fruit’ x

  2. natalielovesbeauty permalink
    27/03/2017 3:31 pm

    I agree that being realistic can definitely help us maintain balance. If we put too much pressure on ourselves/overbook our schedules, it can decrease productivity and many times get us off track.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      28/03/2017 10:39 pm

      Indeed. Many of us keep doing till we drop dead. Or we work ourselves to the bone and postpone enjoying our lives until “retirement.” Then folks retire and die. Live. Balance the work with simple pleasures. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Karlyn cruz permalink
    27/03/2017 8:59 pm

    No matter what we do, Mondays will just keep coming. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to launch them with an upbeat and positive foundation? Packed with inspirational quotes and thought-provoking questions, this post will help you do just that.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      28/03/2017 10:27 pm

      Hahaha! 🙂 Thank you for the vote of confidence Karlyn! I used to not be a fan of Mondays but, change is possible when we set our hearts and minds to something. Now, I always look forward to what the muse and grace will offer me for each Monday’s post. <3

      Reply
  4. Marceline Dementori permalink
    27/03/2017 11:19 pm

    Balance, something that a lot of people find so difficult to achieve. I struggle with it from time to time as well. Too much work, too much fun, not enough of anything. Sigh. I really like that story about the headache and the halo. We really need to live more and make sure that we don’t live too much that we forget about our priorities too.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      28/03/2017 10:42 pm

      True… and I know how hard you work. Another point though is to enjoy the down time. You took a trip and that was great!

      Reply
  5. Shirley permalink
    27/03/2017 11:22 pm

    I love your posts, they are so thoughtful and motivational. Really helps to keep me positive in day to day life stress.

    Reply
  6. Little Steps/Dean B (@LittleStepsTwit) permalink
    28/03/2017 2:19 am

    I’ve always had trouble finding balance in my everyday life, especially as a mother. I guess I just have to learn how to prioritise and to let go of the other “small things” 🙂 Interesting read by the way 🙂

    Reply
  7. bennymakachi permalink
    28/03/2017 6:03 am

    Solid write up and great tips. I’ve learned a lot from this about balance. Going to put some of this into practice.

    Reply
  8. GiGi Eats Celebrities permalink
    28/03/2017 6:25 am

    For me, balance is about balancing work vs. play. If I ever think I am working too much (in front of the computer too long) I actively take breaks and just step away from what I was doing to focus on life in the present. The problem is that since I work from home, at times, balance can be hard because I am the type to always work – good thing I love what I do!

    Reply
  9. Jessica Taylor permalink
    28/03/2017 6:41 am

    Balance to me means working and still being able to spend time with my daughter!

    Reply
  10. travel blogger permalink
    28/03/2017 6:53 am

    Balance is something I have always struggled with. I try to do everything and make outrageous to do lists only to get half done and never really reach my goals. I need to learn to prioritize what is most important and cut out the rest. I have to remind myself that I don’t have to do everything.

    Reply
  11. Author Brandi Kennedy permalink
    28/03/2017 7:05 am

    This is such a good reminder to be mindful of the way we handle our lives – so many people are running around lost and overwhelmed simply because they are out of balance, or pushing too hard in one direction without giving themselves a break. I’m guilty of that myself, and have been for years – I’m only recently learning how to let go a little and find more rest in my life.

    Reply
  12. Jojo Vito | The Happy Trip permalink
    28/03/2017 7:16 am

    Balance…this is a thought provoking topic. At time I tend to overdo some things I like the most and forgetting other things which are equally important.

    Reply
  13. Hellocuppies permalink
    28/03/2017 7:35 am

    What a lovely inspiring post. I have found that as I get a bit older, having balance in my life has become more important and definitely helps me to be more calm and productive too.

    Reply
  14. daninaughton permalink
    28/03/2017 7:41 am

    I definitely started to feel more at peace and balanced after I read The Secret , and started meditating consistently and practicing the law of attraction to get rid of those pesky voices telling me I’m not good enough. I’ve found that these things have made me a lot more confident, at peace with my decisions and life, and they have left me in this fairly constant state of bliss.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      28/03/2017 10:55 pm

      Good for you! I read The Secret too and saw the documentary/movie/videos. It was the rage for quite some time but, its fundamental message remains true… we become what we believe.

      Reply
  15. Jessica Hughes permalink
    28/03/2017 7:45 am

    Balance is certainly something that I strive to achieve in many areas of my life! The biggest area I try to find balance would be in my work vs my children. I also do try to balance Mommy vs wife. It’s something I feel you need to constantly adapt and be able to change and go with the flow as life happens.

    Reply
  16. Rhian Westbury permalink
    28/03/2017 8:08 am

    Balance is quite spiritual for me. I’ve been trying to do yoga more to improve my balance and it’s helping a little bit x

    Reply
  17. alisonrost permalink
    28/03/2017 8:14 am

    I needed to be reminded of balance today. Heading into a week with a lot on my plate .. I know that things that are important to me can easily be crowded out. One of my intentions for 2017 was to be kinder to myself .. which means keeping walks and getting enough sleep as priorities. The work will always be there

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      28/03/2017 10:52 pm

      Exactly. The work will always be there. 🙂 I need to take a page out of your comment and go to bed. I need more sleep even though my body seems to thrive on less… Balance!

      Reply
  18. Summer Mitch Ryan permalink
    28/03/2017 10:13 am

    Oh boy balance is something I don’t have in my life. Everything about me is from either extreme sides of the spectrum. I don’t know, it’s just too difficult.

    Reply
  19. Michelle Waller permalink
    28/03/2017 10:27 am

    Balance to me means having everything in my life in order and giving back what I take. I am working on having a balanced life.

    Reply
  20. MyYellowApron permalink
    28/03/2017 11:40 am

    What a great post. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing your post with us.

    Reply
  21. Cynthia Nicoletti permalink
    28/03/2017 11:58 am

    I think it is important to balance everything in your life. Do not work to much, spend time with family. Everything needs a balance to make things good in life.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      28/03/2017 10:59 pm

      Yes and if we ignore the advice, we come to the end of the road filled with regrets. Live. Love. Enjoy life. 😉

      Reply
  22. eazynazy permalink
    28/03/2017 12:50 pm

    loved reading the post…
    Balancing is really very important in life

    Reply
  23. Amber permalink
    28/03/2017 1:41 pm

    Balance means happiness to me, so I always try to have great balance. I think humans can have great balance if they try!

    Reply
  24. Molly permalink
    28/03/2017 2:03 pm

    This article is opening up my eyes and my mind in so many ways. I believe in balancing our life! No one should be too harsh on themselves. We all should live our lives with purposes. We all deserve happiness.

    I love your stories along with your meaningful article. I will definitely use a lot of knowledge I get from here to improve my everyday life.

    Thank you for your time writing this amazing post!

    xo,
    Molly

    Reply
  25. Lindsey permalink
    28/03/2017 2:05 pm

    Balance for me is finding a medium that works for me, be it in my home, family, friend and work life

    Reply
  26. Bel permalink
    28/03/2017 2:47 pm

    The second frog is both wise and funny to me. I tend to find humor in the most unusual places to me. This is a topic that I actively think about but I always come to the conclusion to just keep finding the balance in every situation.

    Reply
  27. fromthefamilywithlove permalink
    28/03/2017 2:52 pm

    I definitely need more balance in my life. So hard to find when juggling children, work and more.

    Reply
  28. kalliamanika permalink
    28/03/2017 2:59 pm

    If I had to define what is balance in my own words and what it means for me, it would be finding the golden line between being cruel and truhful. Many times we forget to be human and focus on being correct and I believe that it is not worth it. I really liked your post especially where you said “find your rest and stay there” and thank you for sharing all the big events for march and april.
    Kallia

    Reply
  29. Eileen permalink
    28/03/2017 3:30 pm

    Whenever I think about balance, all that comes to mind is the Yin-Yang. That symbol, when studied closely, represents perfect balance between the positive and negative chi. I try my best to maintain balance in my life however, I still have to learn to drown out the external forces that is ever present in their attempt to “rock my boat.”

    Reply
  30. The Trophy WifeStyle permalink
    28/03/2017 3:32 pm

    Yes!!! Life is all about finding that balance between everything! It can be tough at times but there is always a way to balance all that is important to you

    Reply
  31. Next Level Blogging permalink
    28/03/2017 3:41 pm

    I have just started to find balane in my life over the last year. Prior to that, I took on too many problem of others, tried to meet other people’s expectations of how I should live, and carried guilt like a 20lb. weight on my back. This often led to substance abuse and other self-destructive behaviors. I decided to seek help with an opiate addiction, but with the help of counseling, realized the root of my use had more to do with how I lived my life.
    Balance. So important to a healthy mind, body, and soul.

    Reply
  32. Glenda K. permalink
    28/03/2017 5:23 pm

    Trying to keep everything in my life as neat as possible helps me stay balanced. When my schedule gets interrupted like it did yesterday when my son got sick, I quickly panic. When this happens I find that meditating helps me get centered quickly.

    Reply
  33. homemadeforelle permalink
    28/03/2017 6:09 pm

    Balance is so important to a healthy life. With my work, two kids, and school, I find it very challenging to balance everything, but find organizing tasks helps.

    Reply
  34. Agnes permalink
    28/03/2017 6:33 pm

    I have been trying to find some balance in my life and it is a process. This is such a goo dread and is motivating me all over again.

    Reply
  35. Sondra Barker permalink
    28/03/2017 3:40 pm

    What a great post, it is definitely important to find balance in one’s life. I love that short story with the man and the doctors visit, so fitting and true.

    Reply
  36. Erin (@FaithFoodFamFun) permalink
    28/03/2017 7:08 pm

    Life without balance is so hectic! Once we learn to keep everything in tune, all else falls right into place!

    Reply
  37. Lisa Rios permalink
    28/03/2017 7:11 pm

    Balance can be hard to achieve, but it’s always good to try and be at peace with yourself before seeking peace in everything else – taking a deep breath and letting go.

    Reply
  38. Rosey permalink
    28/03/2017 7:29 pm

    I think I’ve heard that story about the halo. 🙂 It’s true balance can relieve stress.

    Reply
  39. Wren permalink
    28/03/2017 8:07 pm

    Balance in everyday life is so important. Thank you for sharing this as i know it is a struggle to maintain a healthy balance in life.

    Reply
  40. Ana John permalink
    28/03/2017 9:56 pm

    This article is really worthy, a person need motivation in every step of life. Inspiration is required for balance.

    Reply
  41. karinarachael permalink
    29/03/2017 1:27 am

    As a homeschooling mom of 3, balance to me is accepting whatever each day brings. I can plan and plan, but when life happens, it happens. Balance is being okay with rolling with the waves as it comes my way… and saying that tomorrow is a new day & I can only do what I can in each given day and I leave the rest for another.

    Reply
  42. Nina permalink
    29/03/2017 2:30 am

    That story is too funny and also true. It’s good for us if we can let loose a little bit.

    Reply
  43. Anosa permalink
    29/03/2017 3:19 am

    For me, I don’t believe in working and working. I am living the way I am working and still enjoying every single moment of everyday. For me it is important to enjoy life and savor it while we are young and able.

    Reply
  44. Love u wedding permalink
    29/03/2017 5:07 am

    Balance is very important to us. This post really great and interesting. Awesome.

    Reply
  45. Blair Villanueva permalink
    29/03/2017 5:47 am

    Without proper balance, you wont enjoy the beauty of life. Everyone should have their ying and yang.

    Reply
  46. Rhonda Myers permalink
    29/03/2017 7:42 am

    This year is about me and my husband, we have decided to take some of those vacation days and learn to have fun again!

    Reply
  47. Raine C. S. permalink
    29/03/2017 7:42 am

    Oh gosh, I really struggle with the whole balance thing. It’s something that I try to be mindful of, but sometimes it’s so hard. As your blog points out, it’s important to find that balance, though. Thanks for the advice.

    Reply
  48. lavonnia1978 permalink
    29/03/2017 8:05 am

    I think most of my balance is based around my children. Trying to keep balance when you have five children takes a lot of energy and also takes my husband to keep me sane 90% of the time. It is a very important task that my husband and I both agree on. He goes to work to keep his because otherwise, he drives me crazy and he don’t realize the irritation that comes with him constantly doing certain things, like leaving clothes laying about or dirty diapers. So, when he comes home, it’s my peace and I write. Hence, why I blog.

    Reply
  49. franckxethee permalink
    29/03/2017 8:31 am

    In everything there should be balance. With balance, we can be firmly survive all the pitfalls and evolve to be better.

    Reply
  50. nlampert permalink
    29/03/2017 10:33 am

    Finding balance between my work life and my personal life is a constant struggle for me. I tend to get really focused on my goals and neglect things like self-care and nurturing relationships. I really want to work on finding better balance this year!

    Reply
  51. espleya permalink
    29/03/2017 11:40 am

    I couldn’t see anything past the picture of rocks balancing on each other. I just don’t understand how they’re all balanced like that, it’s amazing.

    Reply
  52. colleen patricia wool permalink
    29/03/2017 12:37 pm

    What a thoughtful post. Its always important to relax and enjoy your downtime.

    Reply
  53. Azlin Bloor permalink
    29/03/2017 12:41 pm

    Balance can be such an elusive state for many. Work, play, responsibilities, so many things to think about.

    Reply
  54. Hannah Marie permalink
    29/03/2017 12:43 pm

    The story of headache and halo is funny but states the truth. sometimes we are too religious in what we do and forgot to enjoy and have fun.

    Reply
  55. Hey Sharonoox permalink
    29/03/2017 2:02 pm

    I really enjoyed reading the stories of the man with the halo and the zen frog. It makes me think where my center of balance is. Like the Yin & Yang.

    Reply
  56. Wildish Jess permalink
    29/03/2017 2:10 pm

    Those rocks balancing are so neat! Yoga is the best way I balance myself.

    Reply
  57. MyYellowApron permalink
    29/03/2017 2:49 pm

    Its so true when you say – “We want our best self to feel centered and in charge, yet we sabotage ourselves by overreaching, by overcompensating, by allowing disgust and fear to rule, and then, by flaming out.”. I have two kids, a demanding job, a traveling husband and its so hard for me to maintain that work-life balance.

    Reply
  58. Shaheen Khan permalink
    29/03/2017 2:51 pm

    Loved this post to the dot. I constantly struggle with these questions of balance. So I needed this post. The story about wearing your halo too tight is inspiring. We do need to loosen up a bit and indulge in some simple healthy pleasures. Really amazing read. I always enjoy your posts😊

    Reply
  59. Wanderlust Vegans permalink
    29/03/2017 3:39 pm

    Sometimes finding a nice balance in your life can be quite difficult. We must enjoy life, every aspect in it.

    Reply
  60. Janine Anne permalink
    29/03/2017 4:04 pm

    That story you included was great; it really made me think about my life. Balance is definitely something we all need. I’m still trying to work that out as of now, but I’m on my way (I think). Thank you for sharing!

    xoxo,

    Reply
  61. janineladdaran permalink
    29/03/2017 4:08 pm

    Balance is definitely something we all need in our lives. I especially loved the story you included. I’m still working on having balance in my life, but I’m getting there. Thanks for sharing!

    xoxo,

    Reply
  62. Gennifer Rose permalink
    29/03/2017 5:37 pm

    Burnout is a very real thing, and it can keep us from enjoying the things we love most. I find that taking breaks is very important to stay in balance 🙂

    Gennifer Rose

    Reply
  63. Wanderlust Vegans permalink
    29/03/2017 6:35 pm

    I think we as humans can try our best to live balanced lives. I’m not sure it is something we achieve or just something that we are always striving for. It is easy to forget the importance of balance if you get focused on one thing for a long time.

    Reply
  64. Steven Goodwin permalink
    29/03/2017 8:57 pm

    I feel like I’m always chasing balance and trying to keep everything from falling! It seems whenever I go to take care of something, something else goes out of whack! Thanks for the encouraging words!

    Reply
  65. Lindsey permalink
    29/03/2017 10:02 pm

    I love and feel calmed after reading the outlook of mind balance from master shaosan. You can stress the brain and keep it clouded with past and present, just focus and look to the now.

    Reply
  66. Bhushavali permalink
    29/03/2017 10:43 pm

    Balance to me is always balance between work life and personal life! Without it, either you don’t achieve your career goals and ambitions or you lose out on a loving family!!!

    Reply
  67. Fred permalink
    29/03/2017 11:07 pm

    How did they balance those rocks and stones piled up together! Now that is the perfect photograph of balance. Balance is important in our lives. We should not only concentrate too much on one element only. Try everything.

    Reply
  68. emmaeatsandexplores permalink
    30/03/2017 4:16 am

    to me, balance is less easy to define but easy to feel. I know when I feel off-balance,whether from too much work or too much stress but finding a way back is so important. Re-balancing is a daily goal

    Reply
  69. Christopher James permalink
    30/03/2017 5:13 am

    Legitimately, this is the stuff I need to be more mindful of, no pun intended! Thanks for refreshing my perspective today!

    Reply
  70. Danielle Isom (@ImMakingTime) permalink
    30/03/2017 7:23 am

    Love the little story. I think my halo might be a little too tight right now, too. I actually realized a few weeks ago that I needed more balance in my life and need to add more family/home time into my routine. That same day, I booked us a nice little weekend family getaway. Now I just need to incorporate some balance into my daily life.

    Reply
  71. Fatima Torres at MTME permalink
    30/03/2017 7:40 am

    Great piece on balance and its importance. All my life I’ve heard that you must lose balance to find love. Yet, you gain balance when you gain love from within.

    Reply
  72. gaborvantolna permalink
    30/03/2017 10:51 am

    Reading this makes me want to improve myself… Thank you very much!!

    Reply
  73. fromjesstoyouservices permalink
    30/03/2017 8:34 am

    I love that rock stack balancing photo … trying to balance is so hard but if you can it’s worth it.

    Reply
  74. Joanna permalink
    30/03/2017 11:51 am

    Balance…. we hear this word everywhere and we are expected to keep a balance between everything: private and public life, family and work, even small things, like what we eat for example. But sometimes is very hard to keep a balance and then we fall off on one end or another and we can’t manage to find our way back. We need someone else to balance the “balance” for us…

    Reply
  75. vishalgmr1971 permalink
    30/03/2017 3:46 pm

    I read your posts every Monday. And then I wait for the next Monday to read your post. The best part is your list of motivation related posts. I can open any and read them all.

    Reply
  76. alpluslex permalink
    30/03/2017 1:15 pm

    Balance is an interesting thing. Every time I think I have found my balance, I get a little bit thrown off, especially now with my Lyme Disease. Still trying to find the correct type of balance formy life!

    Reply
  77. aimlessmoments (@AimlessMoments) permalink
    30/03/2017 1:40 pm

    Balance is a great thing to have. I try to keep it even in all aspects of life and for the most part it is. Sometimes it is easier than others.

    Reply
  78. ohmummymia (@ohmummymia) permalink
    30/03/2017 1:50 pm

    it’s really hard to achieve a balance in our life. Nowadays everything is focused on money unfortunately. I’m trying to keep balance in my life and tried to spend quality time with family, do something for myself and work

    Reply
  79. Sara permalink
    30/03/2017 3:01 pm

    You always right thoughtful posts that really make people reflect. It’s imperative to have some sort of balance in life or else we’ll fall apart

    Reply
  80. kikicarlson permalink
    30/03/2017 7:33 pm

    I struggle with finding balance at the moment with a newborn and two other children. I know with time I will be able to create some sort of balance in the home. Just takes some time adjusting!

    Reply
  81. Aduke Schulist permalink
    30/03/2017 9:23 pm

    I love seeing those rocks balancing in the middle of nowhere. It’s a great reminder to balance ourselves

    Reply
  82. angie the freckled rose permalink
    30/03/2017 9:27 pm

    It’s funny, I’m doing a weekly photo challenge and this week’s theme was balance! I know how important it is to keep everything balanced in life. Keeps the stress away. I try to balance everything the best I can 🙂

    Reply
  83. Maria Lianos-Carbone (@amotherworld) permalink
    31/03/2017 6:37 am

    I’m finding it increasingly difficult to find a good balance these days… I feel like I’m running ragged. Need to find a way to restore a healthy balance again.

    Reply
  84. Julie Syl Kalungi (@Syl_julekalungi) permalink
    31/03/2017 12:58 pm

    Loved the story about balance and the Halo…And balance is necessary for our personal sanity as well…I have for the longest wondered what it would be like if I just let go and Let God…!

    Reply
  85. thischicafrican permalink
    01/04/2017 10:53 pm

    I’ve been a evicting of working myself too much and postponing enjoyment. It’s so important to balance work and play life. I love this post

    Reply
  86. Shub permalink
    02/04/2017 5:17 pm

    Balancing work and life is the biggest thing in today’s world. Maintaining this balance sometimes drives us crazy. So I liked the story in this post – loosen up a bit is so necessary.

    Reply
  87. Jennifer L permalink
    02/04/2017 8:02 pm

    Balance and wisdom for me are so tied together. We need to have balance in life to really find an enriched life.

    Reply
  88. Claudia H. Blanton permalink
    04/04/2017 12:33 pm

    I have a hard time with balance sometimes. At times, I am working too hard, until I crash, and then I take a few days off, and feel miserable for doing so. Absolutely something I need to work one. Thanks for the inspiration! Blessings!

    Reply
  89. Otilia permalink
    06/04/2017 5:35 am

    Balance is everything. If we all new how to balance things right we will all be happy always.

    Reply
  90. krystal permalink
    06/04/2017 8:43 am

    I am always trying to be more balanced in my everyday life since I have so many responsibilities. This is a good reminder!

    Reply
  91. Jay Colby permalink
    24/04/2017 8:45 am

    Love you post they’re always insightful & motivational. I believe it is important to balance everything in your life.

    Reply
  92. Shell permalink
    24/01/2018 6:22 pm

    Balance is something we all need but can be one of the hardest things to find… The older I get the more balance of in my life becomes more important…

    Reply
  93. Holly Lasha permalink
    02/03/2018 10:21 am

    What great ideas…its so important to make sure you have balance in your life.

    Reply
  94. kumamonjeng permalink
    09/08/2018 6:22 am

    In Chinese, there is Yin and Yang and it is called life balance and yin refer to female and yang refer to male & these are parts of an oneness.

    Reply
  95. kumamonjeng permalink
    20/09/2018 11:23 pm

    Balance is important in our life. We need work life balance, food balance and the list goes on. Not only work, we need to look after our personal interest too.

    Reply

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