How Does Balance Feel?

Often I have thought about what does living a living a balanced life look like.  From time to time I would change my definition of balance.  Primarily I believed that balance meant that I was able to divide my time equally between my job, family, household obligations, and my community  involvement.  However, it is my belief that I was off in my approach to living balanced.

Today I would define having balance is a feeling.  To experience balance is to use our intuition in establishing what it feels like and how it is exhibited in our lives.  Periodically we should examine the responsibilities and expectations of our life. After we truthfully examine our responsibilities, then we can start to design how to make things balanced for ourselves.

For example, we have the goal of wanting to renovate our kitchen. Before starting this project we should think about several things. For instance, school just started.  Our kids are trying to get back into the habit of doing homework and they have to stay after school several days a week for practice.  Let's also say that we have a tight deadline at work and there is the possibility that we may have to work a couple of Saturday mornings for overtime over the next 5 months.  And in addition, we have been asked to work with the Sunday school at church. 

After thoroughly looking at every aspect of our lives and our current family situation we may decide that now might not be a good idea to start the kitchen project.  This may be a hugh inconvenience right now and may provide additional stress on ourselves or our family.  So our decision may be to wait to do the remodel after we are finished with our work project in 5 months. Or we may decide that our family can handle the remodel and we can develop a system of dealing with the the necessary improvements. 

There really is no right or wrong answer.  It is just about what feels right for you and your family at the moment. Developing and maintaining a sense of balance is something that we have to consciously do every day.  Our balance barometer is going to shift.  We should learn to identify when these shifts of balance are going to happen and make adjustments accordingly.  Remember, we don't have to be all things to all people.  Balance is going to feel different at different moments in our lives.

Comments

[Michelle (hometc)]

Great post! Your emotions are also a good way of evaluating your perspective on a subject, they are your built in guidance system. When you feel joy and passion, you are in alignment with your inner being. Negative emotions like fear, anger or depression mean you are out of alignment. Balance comes when you are in alignment with yourself and your positive emotions will indicate this. Stopping by from SITS, wishing you a wonderful day!

[Sheryl]

What a wonderful way to define balance. I agree the feeling of balance is going to change from day to day sometimes moment to moment.

Thanks for stopping by, I too will be returning.

[The Bragging Mommy]

"Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest"! Love your site. Balance is so important, and I am always searching to find it. I look forward to reading your articles!

Heidi