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Time, Money and Life-Balance, Part 3 Life-Balance

Written by: Rodger Blaker

Article Overview: Happiness comes from life balance. Happiness comes from a disciplined and reasoned approach to the "big pieces" in life. If time management is the essential first step, and if managing money is a critical second step, the third step to happiness is living a balanced life.

Time, Money and Life-Balance, Part 3 Life-Balance

This is the third article in this series, and the most important. What good is free time or lots of money without a life that makes sense, without a life of purpose, fulfillment and satisfaction?
Time without purpose is merely boredom, and we all know that money cannot buy happiness.

The Dalai Lama has written that the goal of human life is happiness, and he could be on to something that most of you probably already knew. Yes, we can quibble over definitions, but in the end, we want to be happy.

It seems to me that all too often our culture focuses excessively on the extremes of pleasure on the one hand and work on the other. We sell everything from cars to vacation packages with the promise that they will make us popular, sexy or powerful. And, at the same time, we work more and more hours, striving to Become "successful". It is exhausting, and neither work nor pleasure can be relied upon to create lasting happiness. Happiness is different.

I think happiness is usually the result of a well-balanced life. Happiness is the sum total of meaningful work, good health, positive relationships, lots of fun, some challenge and even failure, seasoned with laughter and joy. I suspect happiness requires a level of self-discipline, and a dash of wisdom.

Happiness comes from balancing the "big pieces" in life. What are the "big pieces"? We all have our own list, and yours might differ slightly, but here are my thoughts:

1. Spirituality and a Moral Compass. Humans are unique in our ability to hold such a volatile mix of good and evil, and without a vital Center, we quickly lose our way. I believe pursuing a spiritual path is first and foremost.

2. Positive Personal Relationships. Without love and friendship, laughter, trust and intimacy, most of us feel alone and lonely. The good life is rarely a do-it-yourself operation. The quality of my life depends on the people I love and those who love me. I think this is the second of the "big pieces".

3. Meaningful Work. We love to lie on the beach, read a good book or take the day off, but we also want to use our skills and talents to do something worthwhile. Work hard, work smart, work with pride. Do work you love and do it well. I believe work is the third "big piece".

4. Health, Fitness and Fun. I've never been disabled or limited for any length of time, and I consider that a great blessing. The ability to enjoy a sunrise, or go for a walk or sit with a close
friend and just enjoy each others company is the third "big piece". Take care of your body and soul. It's your "data port" to the world.

5. Finances and Resources. Like squirrels storing nuts for the winter, we must monitor our resources, use them wisely, and invest for the future. Managing your finances opens doors, eases
worry, and provides security during hard times.

When Henry Thoreau wrote that most of us "live lives of quiet desperation", I think he meant that our lives are out of balance. Some of us work too much, others not enough. Some of us spend all our time socializing, while others remain separated from those who would embrace them. Some of us spend
foolishly, while others are misers. We know that over 60% of Americans are over-weight. These extremes, while they may at times bring "pleasure" cannot be a path to happiness.

Happiness comes from life balance. Happiness comes from a disciplined and reasoned approach to the "big pieces" in life. If time management is the essential first step, and if managing money is a critical second step, the third step to happiness is living a balanced life. Determine the "big pieces" in your life. As Spock used to say (for those who remember Star Trek), “may you live long and prosper".

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Article Tags: balanced life, boredom, dalai lama, extremes, free time, good health, happiness comes from, intimacy, laughter, life happiness, lots of fun, lots of money, meaningful work, money cannot buy happiness, moral compass, personal relationships, self discipline, spiritual path, sum total, volatile mix



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