Balance vs. Harmony

Life is much more busier and hectic today than it was 40 years ago. With ever increasing demands on our jobs, family, and social organization demands many people are searching for or attempting to create "balance" in their lives. I hate to burst your bubble, but attempting to create balance in our lives is nearly impossible. Why? Because balance would lend the thought or expectation that everything in our life would have balanced equality. While it's a nice gesture or goal to attempt to achieve, but I believe we should strive more for harmony than we do balance.

When I think about "harmony" I think about a symphony orchestra comprised of cellos, violins, percussions, flutes, and many other instruments responsible for a variety of sounds making beautiful music. It's impossible for balance to exist in an orchestra with different instruments because they're each designed to make a different sound, but when they come together they make beautiful music.

Just like our busy lives, each area requires a different level of time and attention and it's not until we except and understand that we may never have the type of life-balance we're seeking, but we must create a level of harmony which doesn't include the stress of attempting to create all [life experiences] equal.

Below are five suggestions on how to create harmony in your life:

1. Understand that the life cycle will require some things to demand more from you than others.

2. Learn to say "no" and mean it. It's a complete sentence!

3. It's okay to step a away from family, work and other activities to regain your mental and emotional composure.

4. Create healthy boundaries with everyone and everything in your life. When you create healthy boundaries, you'll know instantly when the line has been crossed.

5. Self-care is essential and should be considered a part of your daily life.

The above is not an all inclusive list, but it's definitely a great starting point. Release the anxiety of creating balance, and focus on creating harmony.