Balance

Balance is this something that we all strive for?  I think for most we want to be happy and content.  Is this truly being balanced?  If you look at a true scale one that is in complete balance the scales are not tipped.  They are hovering equally.  This would mean then that we would be equally happy, equally sad.  Equally busy as we are bored.  Everything equal if balance is truly what we strive for. 

This leaves me to believe that most people if they were to look at the true meaning of balance would say no.  Not exactly what I want.  I think most people would prefer a world or a life free from conflict, stress or any unpleasantness.  This is not truly being balanced.  How can we be really happy if we don't really know what unhappiness is.  If we are fully happy all the time are we hiding or ignoring some other emotions? 

To lead a fully balanced life one must have an equal amount of work, family, rest, exercise, and alone time.  Is this how most of us live - I don't think so.  I think we all try to balance out all of these things but the truth is that most of us work too much, sleep to little.  We spend so much time working that we have little time to spend with families or doing the things that we love.   I too am guilty.  I care for my children each day, I have a Massage practice I love and I often teach classes at night and on week-ends.  I strive for a balanced life but still don't feel as if I have as much personal or family time as I would like.  I guess the big question is how do we change this?

I constantly hear people talk about "when I retire", or "when the kids are bigger".  Why do we have to wait to enjoy our lives when we are too old to do it.  A friend of mine recently told me that she admired my spontaneity,  I think about something and I do it.  This is sometimes a good thing but not always.  I guess part of finding that balance for me, is more about being in the present.  Doing what I want and feeling what I want, right now.  Not waiting until I am 65 to do the things I love, to hang out with my kids and enjoy my life.  My home may not be as clean or tidy as I'd like.  My hair and clothes rarely in place and sometimes I am rushing to get gas in my car to get to wherever I need to be.  However despite this, I enjoy the life that I am living.  

I try to encourage my children to appreciate the time we spend together and I make that time for them.  If we have 10 minutes to go to the park or just sit and talk we do it.  I force them (and myself) to turn off electronics and we focus on each other.  When one of them or I am having a bad day we keep in mind that this too shall pass and tomorrow will be different.  It always is.

So I guess the only way to change is actually to accept what is happening right now.  Instead of striving for "balance" under the guise of happiness.  Try to be present, try to accept how you feel when you feel it and know that this too shall change. Unplug if and when you can.  Take each moment you have and accept it.  If you feel you are wasting time change it.  Take those 5 or 10 minutes and do something meaningful.   Spend time with yourself and those you love.  Who cares if the floor is clean and the dishes tidy...