Balanced Life - Look for the 'Bear Necessities'
by Vered Neta
When I was young, creating a balanced life was easy.
Being single, I had all the time in the world for myself.
It was easy to put borders, to know when to stop working and change gear into fun and relaxation mode. I had everything under control. Work, studies, boyfriend, social arena and even the household was no great challenge...
But somewhere along the way, I found the work that I love, the boyfriend turned into life partner and a daughter appeared on the scene... Suddenly I found myself saying again and again, "I would have cleaned the house, but after dealing with work, kid, spouse and social commitments, I just can't do another thing!"
Sound familiar? Don't worry - you're not alone. Most of us have been there at one time or another. Of course, if the only thing you don't get done is cleaning the house, then things are probably going pretty well. What about those times, however, when your energy level dips so low that even an evening at the movies sounds like too much effort?
That's the time that I call on my good old friend Baloo, the wonderful bear from Disney's version of the Jungle book.
He had a wonderful saying (a beautiful song) that since then I have adopted as a life theme. His advise for keeping a balanced life is, "Look for the bear necessities, the simple bear necessities, forget about your problems..."
And this is precisely what I do to maintain the balance in my life that I long for.
I actively look for those things that give me energy. Energy is the basic thing that we need in order to have a balanced life. Therefore I make sure that my level of energy is maintained as high as possible.
I reduce and even omit those things that deplete my energy reserves, and I choose to devote more time to those things that give my energy a boost.
I managed to drop many activities that I consciously didn't realize were draining my energy. However, once I stopped doing them, I noticed how my life became much more energized.
Watching TV and reading the daily paper. OUT!
Over commitment to projects and assignments. NO MORE!
Unrealistic deadlines. NO WAY!
Social gatherings that are not really important for me. I call in sick...
'Professional complainers, victims and martyrs'. I fired them!
Look at your own life.
What activities, people and circumstances drain your energy?
Which of these can you minimize or even give them up completely?
On the other hand, discover what energizes you.
Then do your best to put those things on top of your TO DO list.
For me these energy givers can be meditating for an hour a day, exercising, working in the garden, or taking a nap in the afternoon. I do my utmost to do at least one of these daily. This brings me back to harmony and balance.
Always try to boost your energy.
It does not have to be a big move...
Walking instead of taking the car gives you a chance to breathe and connect with your body.
Using the public transportation instead of the car gives you more time to be with yourself.
I learned another thing from Baloo the bear. Always look for the simple things. Stop complicating your life.
Drop all your conditioned, social and parental 'shoulds', 'coulds' and 'woulds':
"I should buy a new car..."
"I could do it better..."
"It would be great if..."
Be as simple as a child, consume less, create more...
As old Baloo says, "Get with the beat and start to look for the Bear Necessities..."
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