Journaling Jems

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Special Edition
© 2003, Rosemary Augustine

Finding Spiritual Balance

As I watch, on a daily basis, commuters traveling one hour or more to their jobs, I question the value of their time? Then, as I watch employees spending 8-10 hrs (sometimes 12 hours) a day – 5 days a week in their job, I question the value of their lifestyle. And, in the end, the 60+ hours a week spent on the job and getting to/from it, I question the trade offs compromised in the process. Time with family, friends, love ones, hobbies or even time spent alone – recharging.

When I ask about spiritual balance, I’m looked at as if I just asked a question in a foreign language. What can be done to find, improve and consistently maintain spiritual balance as we face the New Year? Simple! Begin looking at what it takes to have balance overall in your life, and there in the seeking you will find the seeds leading to spiritual balance.

Let’s first start with lifestyle. Presently, I am one of those people who spends 3+ hours a day in the car – staring out a window, going in one direction and speeding along life’s highway. The first week, I quickly thought, “this will get old.” The next day I was at the library picking out books on tape and deciding which language I wanted to learn on my 130 mile round-trip trek each day. I chose Spanish. Now, my stress level of driving is greatly reduced from the distractions (if you want to call listening to such tapes a distraction). And, aside from the confinement of the car, I can honestly say I enjoy the drive. Each day I can’t wait to hear the next chapter of the book I’m listening to or practice my Spanish with my cassette instructor.

However, like many commuters, the 12 hours I’m gone doesn’t leave much for the 12 hours I’m home. Especially when 6-8 of it your are sleeping. I have my morning breakfast drink with my vitamins, pack a hearty lunch, snacks and fruit for the drive home. I keep 12 packs of bottled water in the car for hydration. And, on my lunch hour I take a 30+ minute walk along a scenic path just outside my office door.

I’m one of the fortunate ones. Or so people say, because I get to go walk on my lunch hour. Yet, I find it’s more about discipline, desire and boundary setting, as I would not tolerate an environment that would not allow for this opportunity. Even when I worked in the city, I went for a walk on my lunch break along the city streets. It certainly recharges you, clears your mind and for me keeps the kinks at bay from riding in a car so much. In the evening and weekends, at home, it’s quality time with my family and friends. Although it may only be a couple of hours on weeknights, it’s still quality time. One night a week, I participate in a yoga class, prior to the long drive home.

Am I seeking the seeds to spiritual balance by doing these things? I’d like to think so. And, I’d like to think more than some others who may be reading this. Although this commuting is not a lifestyle I want to maintain for a long period of time, it works for the current project I’m on and allows for personal growth (learning a foreign language), spiritual growth (yoga) as well as maintaining good healthy habits with food and exercise. And, allows for me to ultimately reach several long-term goals in the greater scheme of things (the compromising factor).

I’m aghast by the lack of importance placed on lifestyle (for some), yet I’m repeatedly told by my clients that first and foremost on their values list is lifestyle. Sounds good in theory but not when put to practice – as discipline, desire and boundary setting somehow get lost in the process.

As we move into 2003, and set goals, make New Year’s resolutions, or decide to make some kind of changes, balance seems to rise to the top of the list. Yet with balance, lifestyle must be adjusted. There are trade offs with time, money, friendships, and often family. Those trade offs create compromises – good or bad, you be the judge. The compromises are different for each person, based on your own choice of lifestyle and most importantly, your choice of balance.

In 2003, may you find the perfect balance. May you question your trade offs, ensuring that, whatever the trade offs, they meet with your long-term goals and do not compromise you and those around you to an extent of negative gain. May you find the lifestyle choices of balancing work and home a spiritual uplifting experience. And, as a result, improve something in your life – whether it be communications with someone; a better relationship with a loved one, or finding that spiritual path. The more you get in touch with your inner self and question the external chaos that compromises your lifestyle, the closer you’ll come to finding the spiritual balance that you seek.

This Month’s Journaling Questions:

q Describe the external chaos currently in your life that prevents you from having the balance you seek in your life.

q What trade offs are apparent to you in your current work and life situation?

q What compromises have you made as a result of these trade offs?

q Describe what spiritual balance means to you.

q What one thing can you do to begin the journey to a more spiritually enriching lifestyle.

May 2003 be the year for thee…Wishing your balance and passion in your life and career,

Warmest Regards,

Rosemary Augustine Y

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Presented by: Rosemary Augustine
Author of "How To Live and Work Your Passion and Still Earn a Living"
© 2002, Rosemary Augustine