Each of us struggles with maintaining balance in our lives. The ancient chinese symbols of “Yin and Yang” represent the balance that is inherent in the nature of all things; passive and active, female and male, receiving and giving, soft and hard. Each day, we are given the opportunity to maintain balance so that we can deal with what confronts us with a clear head and an open heart. It is this “balance” between work and play, team members and family members, activity and rest, that gives us the equilibrium we need to maintain a steady course through our daily lives.
Most of us spend enormous amounts of time working on a computer. Hours can go by without getting up out of our chair. This alone is hard on the body, the mind, and the emotions. We were not designed to spend hours sitting and typing or attending meetings. We were designed for physical activity. Moving around, taking walks, exercising, dancing – these are all great activities for helping us maintain balance.
Many of us also find a lot of time being alone, We are social beings my nature (even the most introverted of us) and so making the time to physically meet up with a friend or family member for a conversation helps us maintain some balance. Emotional food is as important as the food we eat every day. Having a balanced diet in both is important.
Conversely, taking time for yourself, is critical for well-being. We often forget that a large part of maintaining balance is by providing time just for ourselves. My Grandmother used to say, “I was born with myself and I’ll die with myself. I’d like to get to know and enjoy myself in the years in between.”
And, don’t forget about the value of play. Whether it’s playing a game or doing something really silly, it’s a great way to bring more joy and laughter into your life.
Kathleen