“How do you know when you have balance in your life?”

“Think of a seesaw at a playground.  Now stack all of your work commitments, or whatever you are balancing on one side, and all of your family commitments on the other.  Things are in balance if neither side of the seesaw hits the ground!”

“How do you know if one side hits the ground?”

“Usually, the side in the air will let you know.”

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Balance is a word used in many different ways.  Physically, balance is important to maintain good posture, and to move without falling.  Emotionally, balance is important to maintain relationships and commitments.  When we have “balance” in our lives, we are usually feeling pretty good about where things are.

However, it is difficult to maintain a good emotional balance all of the time.  Let’s say, there is a big project due at work.  You might need to work more hours or bring work home to do at night and the weekend.  What does that do to your family life?   It will probably have very little impact if the “extra work” is short-lived for say a week or two.  However, if it continues much longer it most likely will negatively impact your family life.

Similarly, if a family emergency, or event causes less time at work, that too, will probably have little impact if it is short-lived.  However, if it continues for too long, it might put a negative strain on your job.

Having “balance” is being able to manage the different commitments and things in your life, which is usually work and family, but can be other things as well.  Maybe you need balance between your hobbies and your family or your job.  Maybe you like to travel either for day trips or longer, and that begins to interfere with your family life.  There are numerous examples, but the work/family balancing act is one of the more common areas.

Today is a great day to work on “balance in your life.”  The first thing to do is to notice objectively if you are imbalanced in any area.  Open your ears and your eyes to notice if you are ignoring a particular person or area.  Listen to the subtleties they may be saying or expressing.  Back up and look at your life in general.  Are you spending the time where you would like to spend it?  Are you treating what is most important in your life, as well as things that are less important?

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Balance is a key to many areas of your life.  Work on your physical “balance” as well as the emotional balance in areas of your life.  The interesting thing is that both the “physical” and “mental” aspects of your life, also need to be in “balance!”

Written, Mon Jan 18, 2016 8:12 – 8:21 AM MST