Five-Part Approach to Balanced Living
Each of us is here on this earth for a stunningly brief period of time, yet, in the collection of those briefest of moments, we somehow hold within us the totality of all life experience. We embody our ancestry – the hopes, fears and dreams of all those who came before – and we embody our collective present with all the joy, strife, struggle and growth. We even embody our future and the promise that passes down to generations to come. Like all the natural world, our life is ruled by cycles – we go from childhood to adolescence, to young adulthood, to middle age, to senior citizen to old age. At each stage of life the challenges and opportunities are different, causing us to do what is also part of the natural order – evolve. We are always in the process of growing into ourselves; in a way completing a cycle that starts in childhood and to which we must return, because in childhood lie the seeds of our singular destiny. I believe, if we keep open to these cycles, the latter part of our life becomes about joy as we come into full flower of the child’s promise. But, in order to move through these cycles, we must continually remove everything that is not who we truly are.
The five point model for balanced living presented here allows that process of discovery to begin. In each of the five areas of life we present an image of self to the world. It is only when we are one, authentic self in all dimensions that we have truly moved into living from our essence. That’s why re-inventing the wheel is, for each of us, about a life in five parts:
Each part of life is significant on its own, like the fingers of the hand, but all are inter-connected and must eventually be integrated into the wholeness of the spiral in the palm. The hand represents the self with the spiral both a reminder of the cyclical nature of all life as well as symbolically representing the journey we all must take from deep within. From the center of the spiral we emerge out into the world and retreat back in. When we are fully in our power (empowered) each of the areas resonates with our joyful energy coming from a strong and solid center. We move through the areas of our life with an energy and presence that is uniquely ours. We each become what we are intended to be – a true original.
>> Work – Meaningful Contribution
It is necessary to redefine work in our society so we can again find satisfaction in how we spend so much of our time. Ideally, work is that meaningful contribution we desire to make to ourselves and our world. Work, at its highest, is a place that affords us the opportunity to give what it is we have to offer and have it be valued. And, if we are present in our work, we will easily know whether or not it is right for us and we will be able to bring a sense of joy, enthusiasm and purpose to what we do.
>> Friends and Family – Meaningful Relationships
Meaningful relationships are the grist in the mill of our growth. Nowhere in life will we face greater challenges and opportunities to know the self than through relationships. Nowhere else will we have the state of our own emotional boundaries mirrored so perfectly. So think about where you are investing your time and energy – with relationships that support you or those that drain you? Are you operating out of love or guilt – out of fear or ease? If we are truly present in our relationships, we can release judgment and move through life with an open and confident heart.
>> Health – Mental, Emotional, Physical
Good health is that state in which we experience vitality and well-being across mind, emotions and the physical body. When we begin to change how we think and feel into more positive, life-affirming patterns, we become more balanced mentally and emotionally. That balanced inner state translates into a healthier physical body and an easier and more natural way of maintaining optimum health that is uniquely right for us.
>> Play – Creative Expression
Play is vital to living a balanced and satisfying life. In order to get into real play we have to figuratively and literally get outside the box. With each belief about the self that we leave behind to open to a new way of being, we start to redraw the boundaries of who we thought we were and what is possible in life. Play allows us to throw out the rule book and find again that joyous energy of curiosity and experimentation that came with childhood. In play we step out of our structured, scheduled lives into the present. If we give ourselves over to it, we will find that time disappears and we move into the experience as a complete connection of body, mind and heart.
>> Spirit – Self-Actualization
Spirit is both who we are (energy) and the expression of a fully actualized self. We each have inside a yearning for something larger than ourselves, a sense of deep connection and purpose. For some that experience of connection may be found in nature or art; for others through a particular religious path and for some through a broader spirituality. Whatever your spiritual path, the key to accessing that deep connection is to allow yourself to retreat from the dizzying distractions of day-to-day life to hear what your innermost heart is saying. We cannot develop the fully actualized self without solitude and silence. We must spend quality time with our heart in stillness to hear what is really going on in our lives. Within each of us is the wisest counselor, the greatest champion and the most unconditionally loving companion. When you learn to reach within, you get to live a life with greater joy and compassion.
Balance isn’t a destination. It isn’t about equality or time management. Rather it’s a process of knowing our needs and of choices made on a daily basis that keep each of the vital areas of life in high focus. So, re-invent the wheel of your own life – design your own blueprint, one in which you feel vital, alive and enthusiastic.