Sculpture by the Sea 2007.....quite a balancing actOnce again Caroline over at The Zen In You has inspired me, this time to create a WORD for the year, instead of a resolution. A word that will empower me through 2009.
I knew the word immediately, need to be empowered by it.... it is BALANCE! Do I ever need balance in my life. I would like to leave my unbalanced life behind in 2008.
I have been studying Philosophy for two years and will begin my third year at the beginning of February. It has been a wonderful journey so far and one of the subjects discussed at length is finding BALANCE in our lives.
The journey of life is like a balancing act. To stay upright, we need to maintain a balance between work and play, richness and poorness, asceticism and indulgence, and so on. When we are off balance, we stumble through the ups and downs in life without direction. With balance comes clarity, so that we can take the ups and downs in our stride.
The philosophy of balance can be found in many of the world’s religions, particularly the eastern religions. In Buddhism, there is the principle of the “Middle Way”. In Confucianism we have the “Doctrine of the Mean”. In Taoism there is the balance between yin and yang, and from Hinduism we have the concept of balancing your chakras.
Over the course of this year at the end of each month I will post my thoughts and journey on leading a balanced life......well that is what I am hoping will prevail!
Taking this journey with me but using their own words are:
AVT Coach......Abundance
Annemarie (So I Was Thinking)....Discipline.
Roban (Moments in Time).......Faith and Joy
Octamom........Excellence
Let the states of equilibrium and harmony exist in perfection, and a happy order will prevail throughout heaven and earth, and all things will be nourished and flourish. [The Doctrine of the Mean, James Legge translation].
25 comments:
I'm taking this journey too, I've narrowed it down to three, but will keep waiting for the word to find me. Here's the three:
spirit
commitment
creativity.
You know what? I just thought of the perfect word for me:
healing
Best of luck on your quest for balance, Peg. One day at a time, eh?
Kat
HEALING sounds like the perfect word for you Kat.
There are many different aspects of healing. I will certainly be interested in reading about your journey with HEALING.
Peggy
hey that's my word too! GOOD LUCK!
Isn't that fantastic Mackenzie that we both chose the same word.
We'll be able to help each other to live a balanced life this year.
Good luck to you too fellow Aussie!
Cheers
Peggy
I look forward to our year of posting about our Words and the lessons we learn from each other. There is so much value in collaboration. For not only will I gain abundance but I will also dabble in balance, discipline, faith and joy, and excellence. Wow! I love that idea! Caroline is "deserving" and Kat is "healing"..so much to learn about from each other!
"Balance" should be my third word actually! I am so out of balance it is ridiculous! That was actually my first word of choice, but I felt the pull toward faith and joy instead.
I will glean so much from your "balance" postings, that I am sure to find joy along the way! I get to find balance vicariously.
Once again, a wonderful audio to go with your blog. Thanks for making my visit to your site so refreshing and fulfilling!
Hugs,
Roban
I agree Coach the value of collaboration will help us all keep focused and gain an understanding on other important words.....I starting to feel like a kid in a lollie shop!
Roban thanks for the compliment on the music. Writing my post, finding the right photo and finishing it off with music that complements it, is so important.....
Peggy
What a wonderful concept Peggy. I think I found your blog via Caroline's too. I have just been talking to my daughter about the whole balance issue. She works long hours and there is never enough time. It's tough when we get pulled in all directions.
You are studying - I am envious. I swore I would never study again after I did an MBA and that was 6 years ago now. I immediately enrolled in flower decorating classes after that. Then tried sewing (with lots of laughter and no real hope of any success...). And now I am hankering to do something again. Oh well, we are allowed to change our minds are we not?
The other thing that piqued my interest in your post was the mention of Easter religions. I saw on Compass details about the interfaith movement and interfaith ministers. They appear to take 'the best bits' of different religions. I am going to explore this further as it appeals to me. Always looking.
I hope that you are able to successfully walk the tightrope through 2009! I look forward to watching via your blog.
Its also lovely to find other Australian bloggers as there appears to be few of us around or I am not mixing in the right circles. Is that your experience?
This post was very fulfilling. My word phrase this year is baby steps. I know that sounds crazy, but there are so many things I want to move forward to that baby steps is exactly how I'm going to get there. Thanks for a lovely post!
I think I may have replied about the picture in one of my "lengthy" comments to you! (Maybe I just thought I let you know!) Anyway... you chose my sister, Traci, instead of me! Do you want a second chance? It's 50/50 now!
Roban
We are certainly allowed to change our minds Lilly, it is a woman's prerogative, that is how we keep learning, growing and evolving.
I have found quite a few Australian bloggers and if we compare the populations of different countries you can see why we are in such a minority......but a force to be reckoned with!
Australia - 21 million
UK - 61 million
USA - 304 million
Europe - 731 million
Peggy
I think 'baby steps' are great words Deb. That is how we grow isn't it!
I'll look forward to following your posts in 2009.
Take care
Peggy
Hi Peggy,
Wonderful! I love this exercise, and I am doing this also. I love the word "balance" - and especially how you're viewing it. I hope this is a year that bring much balance for you!
My word: courage...
Balance, that is a tough one. It seems when you are balanced in one area, others become unbalanced. One area that I am focusing on is sweet precious time with my son. Figuring out my highest priorities are always a good start!
Good morning from Oklahoma. I have been emerging from the holidays, freelance assigments and holiday travel. I've missed visiting your blog! I was inspired by this post to find a word, too. I'm not sure what it will be yet, but the first thing that came to mind was MERCY. I love that picture in your masthead. All your photos are so neat - and you always have the best playlist.
Yes Lance it is going to be a wonderful exercise and it is gaining momentum with so many people joining in.
Courage is such a powerful word. I know you will grasp it fully by trusting in your own strength.
Peggy
Monica you hit the nail on the head, that is why I really need BALANCE in my life. I am too single minded and need to spread myself equally around different activities.
I am sure you will work out your highest priorities by focusing. Actually FOCUS could be your word!
Peggy
Thanks for the compliment Jen. The masthead photo was when I visited the outback in Northern Territory, Australia. This was a very special experience called "Sounds of Silence" dinner where we dined under the stars in the desert.
I think the word MERCY is a fabulous word if you choose to run with it, although I feel you already are a very compassionate person.
Peggy
Namaste Peggy,
I guess I'll be difficult for me to zero down on any particular word for myself, considering so many things that are running in my mind currently. Even then, one thing I definitely need is BELIEF (in myself/God/friends/family...).
And ironically, being a Libran, BALANCE should come naturally to me but it hardly seems the case here :) So one of the many things to work on.
Love,
Meow
The WORD we choose Meow and focus on throughout the year will empower us beyond BELIEF!
Your word BELIEF is the perfect word for you as it covers all the aspects of your BEING.
Namaste
Peggy
I love the picture that accompanies your word! Perfect!
Blessings!
I'm new here! What a great blog :)
Ahhhh...balance. I am getting better at this (at least I want to believe it :)). I feel so much hope for this year. I am excited what 2009 will bring! You are such an inspiration, Peggy!!!
That is a fantastic sculpture and serves as a fun reminder to maintain balance in our lives.
I am listening to your music right now, thank you!!!
Post a Comment