Three years ago, I was driving home from work and thinking about attaining and keeping balance in my life. When I got home, I wrote this letter to myself. It’s been traveling around with me in various notebooks and I refer to it from time to time to remind myself of these essential truths. (Truths for me, in any case. I don’t presume to speak for anyone else.)
It seems to me that it makes sense to put it here on my blog for a couple of reasons:
- If I lose my handwritten note, I’ll be able to find it here.
- Perhaps it will be a help to somebody else (that’s a nice thought!)
So here it is, just as I wrote it in 2013:
Because life is stressful, it is extra-important that you take especially good care of yourself.
To nourish your mind, soul and body, you must attend to your thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
For the mind, hold yourself accountable for rational thought. Ask yourself,”Is this thought true?” Make an effort towards positive thought- look for the good rather than dwell on the negative. Provide some mental stimulation for yourself in the form of new ideas, classes, workshops and books. Keep the brain engaged!
For the soul, it is important to monitor your feelings. Because our feelings are determined by our thoughts, we start there. The way you feel will affect how you think and behave. That is why you must be aware of and focus on all three of these elements. To “live” in only one element is to throw off your balance- a wheel that is not balanced will wobble and eventually crash.
Feelings can be overwhelming. It is so important to express them (or “discharge” them), but it’s also important to test them with rational thought. Again, is it true? They are not good or bad, but they may lead to erroneous thought. Feelings are also indicators that change may be needed in your life. Use your feelings to initiate a dialogue with yourself and those you trust to see if your feelings may be prompting you towards a change of course.
For the body, we attend to our behaviors. The body is part of the trinity of good balance. The way we nourish our body with our behaviors will have a large impact on the other two: mind (thoughts) and soul (feelings). What nourishes the body? The essential behaviors are rest and sleep, healthful eating, movement, creating beauty and contributing to a higher good. If you will engage in these behaviors, you will find it easier by far to attend to your thoughts and feelings.
It is tempting to me, as I write about each element, to view that particular element as the fulcrum upon which the other two elements hinge, but that is incorrect. You are a wheel, travelling through your time on this earth. The three elements are your inner bearings helping to keep you balanced, allowing you to roll without wobbling- all are equally crucial.
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So there you have it- ramblings from a long commute! I hope you find value in it. Happy making, Friends!