day 479: Balancing Game

Much of how we think about our work,what we do, and why we do it has to do with a balancing game. There is the continual question of what is the balance between work and personal life or what we call "Work-life balance". There is the balance choice daily that we each make against the time and energy we put into a project or an assignment. There is the balance of what are we willing to give up to make more money and then how much is enough versus the other priorities in our lives. It is a large balancing game and it is really hard to know what the right balance should be. What we do know is when things are out of balance that is painfully obvious and usually it starts with being obvious to someone else first and ourselves last, but regardless if we are out of balance long enough, it catches up and it becomes obvious to everyone. Much of our imbalance may come from not having a good understanding or realization about the difference between our needs and our wants. If we could only learn to work and live to our needs then balance would come more easily. But, if we are always working and living beyond our needs and trying to satisfy all of our wants, then the balancing scales can easily tip in the wrong direction. Paul and Timothy shed light on this subject in their letter to the church at Philippi; "Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little". Paul and Timothy were talking about learning how to win the balancing game. The secret lies in knowing how to get along happily, regardless. As you think about how you are doing in the balancing game, factor in not your wants, but instead your needs and then find a place where happiness can occur first and foremost. After that, you may find that it becomes much clearer on how to find the balance that is right for you.

Reference: Philippians 4:11 (New Living Testament)