How do you feel about a balanced life? Is it something you can aspire to? This isn’t about leading a perfect life, it’s far more in line with living life in tune, fully, meaningfully, going with the flow and making adjustments along the way. It’s more or less a balancing act, covering all the bases. And it’s when we set aside personal time to do what brings us peace and joy, and this may mean setting a few boundaries here and there.
We need balance… work time, play time, rest time. Time together, time apart, occasions with family, gatherings with friends, and time to just chill and relish some solitude. The challenge is making time for ourselves, but the beauty is we get to choose. When, where, how… options, choices, decisions, dance together seamlessly, interwoven into the fabric of our lives. The vastness of life presents an array of possibilities, and what we choose matters.
We take time to reflect, selecting what gives our lives meaning. Those things, people, and places that usher in harmony while delivering mental calm and contentment. It’s in this special space, we find ourselves better equipped to manage the minor and major challenges of life. Between work and play, we may find ourselves at rest in a time-out. What we decide to do with this space is up to us.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT PRESSING PAUSE?
A break not only helps us to recharge, it also tunes us in to our way of life by shedding light on the importance of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. But we can’t just dream soul time into existence, nor can we rely on it magically appearing. We must schedule it. Not to be construed as self-indulgent, more-so, self-care, self-consideration, self-respect. It’s giving yourself permission to take a well-deserved break. To set the wheels in motion for renewal, so you can feel refreshed and reinvigorated, ready to take on whatever comes your way.
Self-care is fundamentally about bringing balance back to a life that has grown imbalanced from too many commitments or responsibilities.
By setting aside some time, pressing pause, gives us a moment to reflect on the things that matter, the finer things in life. Where visions, hopes, and dreams come to light, bringing our focus to where our lives may need attention.
And I did just that, I pressed pause. I embraced my time at the cottage, enjoying the view, watching the eagles soar, listening to the loon’s call, enjoying the playful hummingbirds. In the backdrop, I heard the geese announce their arrival and watched as they skimmed over the surface of the lake.
The wind amused me, rustling through the trees, drawing my attention to a storm far off in the distance. I observed the white pine, birch, spruce, and cedars sway in tempo to each gust of wind. A spectacular light show followed soon after, along with the sound of a gentle thunder, and the patter of rain.
THE BALANCED LIFE – A MINDFUL APPROACH
On clear nights, I marveled at the moon’s reflection and the stars as they cast their glow far off in the galaxy. I awoke to breathtaking sunrises and fell asleep just as the moon cast its brightest light in the darkest of nights.
The serenity of basking in nature, aware of the stillness of a tranquil forest, a walk through a meadow, a trail meandering through a thicket. I took delight as the breeze brushed past me, capturing each breathtaking moment, taking great pleasure in the exquisite sights and sounds, and even comforted by the silence.
Life danced around me, graciously sharing its space. This is when we discover who we are, when we’re in the moment, surrendering our cares. Harmonious and in balance with nature as it befriends us, settling in its divine splendor, softly speaking to our hearts in quiet moments.
Examples of balance can be found everywhere, even in those places where you least expect them.
HOW DO YOU USE YOUR TIME?
It starts with relishing time in equal measure… to work, to play, to rest, to dream. It’s knowing when to step back and reflect on our way of life. So we can enjoy what we have to a greater degree by balancing what we maintain to a lesser degree. Are you paying attention to the time you have, or do you take it for granted? Are you taking time-outs, just for you? Life has a way of reminding us to be mindful of the time we have. By committing to ourselves, to our well-being, to our happiness, we commit to a better way of being, a better way of living. A balanced life.
Time and balance the two most difficult things to have control over, yet they are both the things that we can control.
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