Life balance?
Today, the entire concept of finding balance resonates with most. We want it, know we need it, talk about it, but to be honest, most have a hard time making it happen. With so many things on our “To Do List” many sacrifice our own wellness, happiness or for that matter, passions and dreams.
People will in-fact choose unhappiness over uncertainty as well as the fear of failure! Think about the athlete who constantly fails to grow physically and thus mentally stronger! We must embrace it, and a beautiful truth exists on the other side of failure.
For all of the most important things, the timing always sucks. Waiting for a good time to make a big change? The stars will never align and the traffic lights of life will never all be green at the same time.
So too, the universe doesn't conspire against you, but it doesn't go out of its way to line up the pins either. Conditions are never perfect. "Someday" is a disease that will take dreams to the grave with you. Pro and con lists are just as bad. If it's important and you want to do it "eventually," just do it and correct course along the way.
No excuses, and be prepared to fail, fall or stumble while also learning a ton about yourself along the way. A person's success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have deep down, at core with self. Now think, never judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance traveled from the point where it all began.
Next, I have my own perspectives on the quest for balance. Regardless of the challenges being managed within our daily schedules, we are blessed to live the type of life where the luxury of contemplating the concept of balance exists in the first place. Accordingly, to enjoy life, you don't need fancy nonsense, but do need to control time realizing most things just aren't as serious as we can make them out to be.
On the other hand, so many people are consumed with addressing basic needs for food, water, shelter, safety and decent healthcare, they have neither the experience or knowledge to make concerns about balance an even fleeting priority. But that very thought might suggest everyone should slow it down to evaluate where they are and how they arrived. We are what we repeatedly think and do, a product of habit, choice and accumulated life experiences.
Unfortunately, one side effect of any "have to get it all done" mentality is a narrow, self-obsessed perspective. Here, I suggest to get focused on being productive instead of busy. Figure out what is “wildly important” right now while allowing everything else to fall off to the wayside.
Excellence, Wellness, and Balance then, is not an act, but a habit we consciously create and consistently follow. All too often, we are so busy making a “living” we forget to make a “life.”
Wisdom is your perspective on life, an awareness and sense of balance, the understanding of how the various parts and principles apply and relate to each other.
This can present distinct barriers while cultivating more thoughtful, empathetic attitudes — attitudes that could empower us, collectively, to truly see and facilitate the resolution of these larger problems in our midst. Pay attention to the little things in life, for one day you may realize they were the BIG thing's. This is what makes balance so important.
Some might argue the concept of "life balance" is, in fact, an “unattainable pipe dream.” Well, knowing when to switch our laser-sharp attention from one area of focus to another is an important skill to learn and maintain.
There are times when we simply can’t achieve any semblance of balance — moments when work, health or a personal relationship demands a disproportionate amount of our energy and time. In these very moments, we may get huge satisfaction (and great results) from deeply devoting ourselves to the priority at hand.
This is where I say to "prioritize your schedule" rather than simply "scheduling priorities."
I believe the pursuit of balance is important. We are no good to another human being if first we are not pure of heart and good with ourselves. The pursuit is what keeps us honest and centers us on our larger life priorities. It also reminds us to correct imbalances diminishing our capacity and perspective overall.
The key, I believe, is awareness. It’s having the consciousness to recognize the state you are currently in. It’s the ability to notice when you are out of balance, and to make certain you’re not in the same mode of imbalance all the time.
The pursuit of balance is what keeps us asking:
What do I really desire? What am I choosing? Where am I going? Why am I here? Why am I here again? What truly excites me?
Without that, we inevitably get wrapped up in momentary goals and objectives having little to do with our bigger-picture priorities. We get so focused on achieving in one place we forget that other areas matter, or even exist.
Can you afford to lose forty pounds? Can you afford to shut off all MEDIA and instead choose to read a book that will expand your circle of knowledge? Instead of scrolling through the lives of others, or the world they create online, why not spend time on YOU? Spoil yourself. Go for a walk. Get a massage! Call someone to tell them you love them?
You see, life balance involves SELF LOVE first, and then the extension of Love, Heart, Passion and Soul. Giving without need of return, reward or recognition and do not keep score!
When we ask tough questions and stand firm upon the things we say we are going to do...the world around us begins to change. When we fail to focus on what matters most, the fun, kind, curious, kid-like part of us we lose all sense of playfulness and empathy and become miserable, boring adults.
Now, we all have the same 24 hours in each day, and equally, we all have the same unknown quantity of time on Earth! Listen, you can accomplish anything you want, but you need to be firm with yourself...and move forward with steadfast commitment and passion! With the entire concept of time, think about what is truly important, because the next moment or next week is not guaranteed.
Next, life moves fast so do not expect perfection each day or every week because you will fall, stumble or fail from time to time. Some days you will inherently have more energy than others, so don’t be hard on yourself in any given moment.
But expect your commitment to be perfect even though some days you are 80-percent! Think about that. Also, remember all success requires passion, and we can't be passionate without time to rest, relax and play.
By working only when you are most effective, life is both more productive and more enjoyable. It's the perfect example of having your cake and eating it, too. So take that nap, or ask your boss for a 90-minute lunch to go for a 60 minute walk. It's amazing how our body and total being rewards us for breathing as well as self-reflection.
Ultimately, chasing an ideal of perfect balance is probably a thankless pursuit. But in my view, refining the art of continual re-balance remains a noble and worthy endeavor. Don't plan on being perfect, just plan on doing the best that you can, when you can...and never quit on yourself or any dream!
Never sit on the sidelines "wishing" but doing nothing about it. Far too many have a wishbone where they should have a backbone.
Schedule time for yourself, and create the habit of being happy. Happiness is a choice, it’s something we all have to work on, it’s an “action verb.”
Yours in Success, Wellness and Friendship!
Peter D. Bouloukos Share your story, goals or life challenges...
info@CloseToOpenConsulting.com