Balance

Motivation - Balance

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

Balance is a condition in which different elements are in the correct proportions.  Balanced living means considering all aspects of your life. Your relationships, work, health and fitness and your emotional well-being all need to be in balance. We all get bogged down with work and other responsibilities from time to time, but making time for yourself is important so you can keep up with all your responsibilities. We need a balance of work and fun.

The arrangement of things in relation to each other according to a particular sequence, pattern or method is the meaning of the word order.  Disorder or chaos is the opposite. In a healthy individual there is a balance between chaos and order.  Chaos brings in novelty and allows you to adapt to a variety of situations.  Order gives you a foundation to operate out of and reflects the safety of known territory.  

A daily rhythm or routine can keep you on track and help you live a more balanced and productive life.  Creating and following a strong daily rhythm will help increase productivity and keep your life running smoothly.

Harmony is an alignment of what we say, what we think, what we feel and what we do.  When there is harmony between our thoughts, feelings, actions and words we experience a sense of peace called harmony.  When we are in harmony, the pieces all fit together.  

Harmony is a necessary condition for development, progress, fulfilment, and overall happiness of an individual. It unites people in spite of their diversity and prevents enmity, conflicts and wars.  

Happiness is an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, contentment, satisfaction, and fulfilment.  Happiness comes when you feel satisfied and fulfilled. Happiness is characterized by inner harmony, acceptance, gratitude, contentment, and having peace with oneself, others, and the world.

Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was a writer and theologian.  He was ordained to the Catholic priesthood and given the name ‘Father Louis’.  Merton wrote more than 50 books in a period of 27 years.  This quote by Thomas Merton says happiness is a matter of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.  

Add balance, order, rhythm and harmony to your life and you will find happiness.

# living life abundantly    # published author    # travelling tuesdays