I don't know about you, but I've just about heard enough about 'balance'. It seems to be the buzz word these days.
All I can picture is the plate spinner from the Ed Sullivan Show. I know I'm dating myself now!
I imagine each of the demands of my daily life to be a plate spinning on the top of the stick. And I'm the one in charge of running from stick to stick swirling them to keep the plates from crashing down around me. I'm stressed just thinking about this! Sound familiar?
For me, the desire to create balance in life is actually both elusive and daunting.
If you look at all the aspects of your life you're talking about money, career, family/friends, significant other/romance, fun/recreation, health/fitness, physical environment, and personal growth. It's impossible to put care and attention into all the aspects of your life all the time.
So for me it's about creating balance in the moment.
Most of the time we focus on the aspect of life that isn't going so well and that drains our energies. For example, if business is slow then we have more time for working out, being with friends, and tidying up the physical environment. These are all positive things to be celebrating yet the focus is on the money that isn't coming in.
We need to make the shift from focusing on what's wrong with life to focusing on what's right with life. Every time you notice your attention being drawn to what isn't going well, take a breath, and shift your attention to something that is working well.
It's true that living more in the moment will enable you to get through a stressful situation with more grace and ease. In addition, living with present moment awareness will help you to be nourished by joyful moments such as a hug, a smile, a sunrise, a conversation, or a meal.
The key to feeling balanced lies in your ability to live in the present moment. It's about being aware of both unpleasant and pleasant moments without rejecting or clinging to either.
by Cheryl Jones-Reardon
