Balance: The key to a fulfilling life

The secret to a happy, successful life may lie in one's efforts and abilities to maintain inner and outer balance. But what exactly does balance mean, and from what perspective should you be approaching life in order to achieve that blend of opposites resulting in homeostasis?

The concept of balance in your life may differ from what your friend or partner deems as stability in his or her own world. In general, though, having holistic balance can refer to your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual selves being at a level that allows you to grow and learn while maintaining functional wellness.

Consider the following extremes:

1. Physical: Hypoactivity to hyperactivity - Having a very sedentary lifestyle and exercising excessively are equally unhealthy. You want to be able to work and exercise productively but not to the point where it compromises your health or interferes with your ambition.
2. Mental: Creative intuition only to over-rationalization - A combination of intuitive and alternative approaches with practical intelligence and reasoning can be a positive, integrative method for problem-solving and decision-making when trying to reach a balanced solution.
3. Emotional: Distant, flat affect to extremely sensitive and clingy - Emotional stability is an asset in life, especially when handling challenging situations. It is important not only to show compassion, forgiveness, and genuine love but also to detach emotionally from drama or situations that are unhealthy or not in your control.
4. Spiritual: Lack of meaning and connection to being ungrounded and harmful - Spirituality and religion are only good and helpful to the point where they encourage love, peace, integrity, and blessings. The purpose is to learn and grow spiritually but also have the ability to ground yourself enough to educate and be an inspiration to others.

You can apply the balance theme to further life areas as well. With respect to finances, your aim may be to have enough in savings to plan for emergencies but not to the point of hoarding cash because of underlying fears. In home and career balance, you may want to find a way to complete necessary job obligations but also have enough time during the week to schedule quality family interactions.

A good place to start is to examine your life and decide which area is most out of balance. Instinctively, you may already know and have been considering how to improve that situation. Make a clear intention to create balance in the target life area. Take steps each day, even if it's a small one, toward your goal of healthy stability.

When one life aspect seems functional and you are satisfied, work on the next one. The ultimate outcome is not necessarily perfection; it is to improve yourself and your life to the point you feel fulfilled and can actually enjoy what you've created for yourself.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons/spreadshirt

Affirmations: Having balance in my life helps me to remain functional, healthy, and happy. When one life area is out of balance, I take steps every day to regain harmony. I am an inspiration to others as I simplify my life through balance and moderation. I enjoy what I have created! I evolve and work toward my full potential while maintaining a healthy inner and outer balance.