Balance of Life Page 2

. . . .time for me was important. It was 4:30, the official closing time of the office. I straightened my desk, felt a twinge of guilt about leaving, but I forced myself to leave. I was home by 5:00. My children and husband were surprised. I had a wonderful evening. It was not a chore to read that bedtime story that evening.”

Mary was looking at her friend thoughtfully and then questioned Susan about the work she had left on her desk.

Accomplishing More
Susan replied, “I never thought this possible, but I actually accomplished more the next day then I had in weeks.

As I was leaving the next day I stopped at my new boss’s office and thanked him for the quotation. He told me a short story about advice his dad had given him many years ago when he was working night and day. He referred to it as ‘Balance of Life’. His dad told him to keep balance in his work, in his family life and in time for himself. He explained to me, while all aspects of our life are important, without a balance, you become addicted and like all addictions you lose –

– no balance with your family – you lose them
– no balance with your work – you lose your perspective and you actually lose focus on the important aspects of your job.
– no balance with yourself – you forget who you are and when you retire you have nothing! Or worse than that, if you lose your job through a company sale or downsizing you lose your identity

He went on to tell me that who we are is NOT what we do to make a living. Who we are is a balance of our family, our work, ourselves! It truly was the best advice I ever received.”

Find Focus
Mary took a drink of her tea and tearfully looked at her friend, “But I would never get my work done if I left at 4:30!”

Susan looked thoughtfully at her, “When you go to work on Monday, look at what you have on your desk. Make a list of everything you have to get done and beside that list write the impact of not doing it. Then focus only on the top three items that have the most impact. Do that everyday for a week. At first, you will find it difficult to leave. But, after awhile, you will find that you will have more energy, and you will be more focused in your work because you have BALANCE! There are times when we have to lose balance – a special project at work, or a family matter at home – but consciously focusing on balance keeps everything in check.”

Mary smiled at her friend, “Thanks for talking with me. We have been friends for so long. Thank heavens I have balance with your friendship! You have convinced me. I will leave the work in my briefcase this weekend. On Monday, I will make the list first thing. Perhaps next weekend, I will have the time to go golfing with you!”
“Balance of Life” – important for us ALL!

Inspirational Quotes for Reflection:
“Time and balance the two most difficult things to have control over, yet they are both the things that we do control.” Catherine Pulsifer

“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” Diogenes Laetius

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony.” Thomas Merton

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