Achieving Balance...a life's work.

I know I've been writing some dark and negative things lately, so here's something a bit more up beat and truly a reflection of what I believe is important in life.

A friend recently asked me about how to achieve balance in a life full of chaos and responsibility. If I had a definitive answer to that I would consider myself very fortunate. I think that finding and recognizing balance in out lives is part of the journey; and as we get glimpses of what is possible we have a choice to seize the moment.

I have long thought about the balance of life, for me it is perfectly represented by the yin-yang. Whether a balance of good and evil, light and dark, physical and spiritual the entwined nature of our lives is illustrated so simply by the twisting shape and contrast of colors. There is no right side up, the circular nature of it allows us to think about the balance both as a static moment and the circle that is life...to quote a favorite of mine, Harry Chapin...

All my life's a circle;
Sunrise and sundown;
Moon rolls thru the nighttime;
Till the daybreak comes around.

All my life's a circle;
But I can't tell you why;
Season's spinning round again;
The years keep rollin' by.

I often find these word rolling through my mind...pun intended. So much of life is a continuum and if we let life get out of balance we find ourselves struggling. We have goals and responsibilities, but without balance so much energy is wasted and happiness missed.

Always remember to take time for yourself and remember the old adage, "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." So simple, but so true. Without seeking the pleasures in life we can become dull...dull of spirit, dull of wit, and less than who we should be for ourselves and our loved ones.

Seize the opportunities...make a change, add something fun to your life, take a risk, live the life you have instead of working too hard for the life you hope to have...it will come. Do something for yourself, something you love or something you've never done before. Don't convince yourself it is selfish or not worth your time...you are worth your time and no one can give you balance, you have to take it!