Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance,
order, rhythm and harmony. – Thomas Merton
Do you struggle to find balance in your life? Many of us lead lives that are anything but balanced. In fact, at times, we often feel like a cat trying to balance on a tree branch, ready to tumble off at any moment. Some of us will manage to right ourselves, others will try to balance by flailing about, and the rest of us will fall off and try to get back on again. But eventually, no matter how hard we try, we’ll all fall off if we don’t create balance in our lives.
Balance is an essential ingredient for a happy life. When your life is in balance, your body, mind and spirit are in harmony. Everything just feels right.
But how do you achieve that balance in these hectic times we live in?
The definition of balance will vary from person to person, but the following tips can help create balance in anyone’s life:
- Make time for yourself. You can’t be there for everyone else unless you take care of yourself.
- Exercise regularly and eat healthy. This goes right along with taking care of yourself.
- Integrate your passion with your work. Most of us spend up to a third of our lives at work. Doing work you’re passionate about rather than work that’s “just a job” will go a long way toward creating balance in your life. If you haven’t found a way yet to combine the two, leave your work at the office. Nobody ever looks back on their life and wishes they had spent more time at the office!
- Spend time with family and friends.
- Live within your means. Stress over finances is one of the biggest obstacles to creating balance in your life.
- Don’t multi-task. You may think you’re getting more done that way, but you’re really not. By putting your full focus and energy on one task at a time, you will work more efficiently and you won’t feel like you’re just spinning your wheels.
- Spend time with your cats! Spending time with cats is one of the best ways I know to come back into balance instantly.
What one thing will you do this week to create more balance in your life?
Great tips! I can always use a little more balance — thanks for the reminders!
I’m glad the tips helped, Angie!
Useful advice. Taking care of yourself it’s particularly important, and I have to do it properly…
This week, I am reading a book I have been thinking of reading, and having lunch with a friend I have not met for a while.
This made me THINK. I will go home and have a cup of coffee and sit down with the Cats instead of bustling around after work.
I’m so glad you decided to spend time with your cats instead of rushing around, Katnip! I’m sure the kitties will appreciate it, too.
Great and timely advice. During holiday periods we think we’re relaxing more but often endure more stress! Closely observing my cats like Odin (above) is a meditation is learning balance. Cats are masters of balance both physically and metaphorically. Listen to your body. It’s constantly giving clues about whether you’re out of balance by over eating, under sleeping, being tired, cranky etc.
Layla, I agree – watching cats is a form of meditation.
Great advice…. WE could all use a little adjustment and centering from time to time.
pawhugs, Max
And cats are so much better at the whole centering thing than humans, Max.
I, Momo, am blessed with super balance but would strongly advice my SS (Secretary-Slave) to take heed of your advice, especially the last one ;).
Momo, if all feline slaves spent more times with their feline rulers, the world would be a better place!
My astrological sign, (Libra) is the sign of striving for balance. My fellow Libran friends and I always joke about our “scales” (the symbol for our sign) being out of “whack”. The biggest obstacles I experience are financial and balancing “husband” time with “writing” time.
I started exercising about a month ago (have lost 41.2 pounds since October, woooo hooo!) and it is something that is definitely a part of my weekly routine now!
It’s all about balance, balance, BALANCE!
Congratulations on your weight loss, Caren – good for you!