“How do you maintain balance in your life?” – inquires Lillie Ammann at A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye. Then she starts a life balance meme and she tags me… I’m honored.
So here I am, watching the blank virtual piece of paper, wondering: do I maintain balance in my life? What is “balance in life” anyway? A simple statement: God comes first will not do it. God doesn’t come first. God is always there, no matter what. I could never set God on the top of a list. I list groceries, I list the songs I like, or I list the services I provide to my clients. But I do not list God, family and friends. These are absolute values. Interlinked. Self-contained. Perpetual.
So how do I maintain balance? Through simple things. Those simple gifts that come from God: a magic sunset, the scent of a lily, a walk in the rain, the starry sky, the soft touch of a bachata, the crystal-pure laughter of a child, poetry and all the wonders dropped from Heaven to remind us how fortunate we really are.
How do I maintain balance in my life? Whenever I feel down, I turn to these simple things. I cure my senses sipping their essence. And then I stop to take a long look at a blank piece of paper or at blank canvas. Next, I release the energies inspired by the wonders I see within my soul and let them filter out all the possible negative feelings. I tie these feelings with chains of thought in poetry or visual arts. I write about my worries. I analyze them. I try to get to the bottom of the “why” and the “how”. I don’t always find the answers, but I find the peace. This is how I purify my heart. This is how I find balance.
Well, these are my thoughts on balance. And so I tag (you might as well consider these my recommendations for the weekend) The Truthdancer – this is the kindest blog on the Web, Starcana (a very interesting approach on life, love and relationships; as she says: “creative divine interpretations to console the soul”), Jacklyn of Inspiring and Empowering Lives (guess why?) who runs a great blog on personal development and Domestika (because I’ve just met her and her blog is a nice resource for work-at home moms – not necessarily for writing ideas, but for home and garden).
Related:
The Dreamcatcher
You’re so right…a sunset can really sure your soul…if it’s on the beach then for me it’s just perfect!!!
Have a great one:)
Maria
These simple and seemingly little things are always the best cure for anything in the world. They always fill my heart with whatever I need to get through the not so rosy times of my life. And I agree with you, in what it comes to listing God, friends and family. I feel these are part of me, I take them everywhere, they are deep within my heart. They do not make my life balanced, my life isn’t there without them.
Mihaela, thanks so much for tagging me for this meme!
It was fun (and educational) to sit down last night, really think about how the life balance thing works, and try to put it into a post of sorts…
The exercise had the effect of reminding me – demanding clients and the occasional dull job notwithstanding – that the life of a freelance writer is pretty darned good!
Cheers,
Jen
Thanks for the thoughtful and thought-provoking post!
What a wonderful meme! I, too, was honored to be tagged by Lillie and I can fully understand Who inspires you.
I will also read up on your web safeguards for children, a topic that is close to my heart as well.
Hello Matt,
I’ve just returned from your inspirational entry.
but when I see what visitors her entry sent to my blog I have even more reasons to consider myself fortunate and thank her and you all for reading and for your kind comments.
I am really glad that the wonderful Lillie has decided to create this meme. I was honored to be the first tagged
Thanks for the tag! I’ve shared a post from Michelle L. Casto on ’10 Ways To Bring More Balance To Your Life’ (http://jacklynker.com/49/10-ways-to-bring-more-balance-to-your-life/). Hope everyone will enjoy it.