Balance

At times I feel as though I am spending too much time working or preparing for work. Other times I think it would be a good idea to be more social. Whenever I feel “out of balance,” I think of a simple idea I learned in a class several years ago.

Our lives consist of social, financial/professional, mental, physical, and spiritual components, and the best way to be healthy is to balance these five areas.

The social piece consists of spending time with family and friends. It may be getting together for dinner, playing cards, or seeing a movie. It’s just moving outside of you.

Financial and professional go together. Here we look at earning and managing our money. Many of us find that this area is truly out of balance!

Mental pursuits include reading, taking classes, engaging in conversations, etc. This includes anything that expands our minds.

Physical endeavors usually center around taking care of our bodies. Exercising, eating right, and seeking medical help or advice when needed all fall into this category.

The spiritual area is all about focusing on our spiritual path, which is different for every person. Some attend services, meditate, chant, or practice certain types of yoga. For many, this is a very personal area.

Writing this is a good reminder that it’s time for me to find a little more balance in my life.

Celebrate!

A friend once told me that it’s important to find reasons to celebrate. Maybe you commemorate a holiday, a new job, or a graduation. People, who know me, know that I believe birthdays are a reason to celebrate.

It’s the first day of your year…a day to congratulate yourself on your accomplishments and look ahead to the “new year.” It’s your New Year’s Day!

April 21st was my birthday. I filled the day with things that I love to do. That meant a great workout (a new gym), a movie, terrific food, time at the pool, reading a good book, quality relationship time, and a little bit of relaxation.

I had a great birthday…a start to a terrific year. I decided that maybe I need to treat everyday like it’s my birthday and find more reasons to celebrate!