Must Read!!!
Be Committed to Keeping Your Personal and Professional Life
in Balance
It is so important to be living in prime time, rather than
watching TV in prime time. On your way to success make
certain you grow friendships, not just bank and mutual fund
accounts. Life is a collection of memories, not of material
things.
The Egyptian pharaohs were buried with all their treasures,
and were mummified in hopes that they could enjoy their
bounty in the next life. But we are only caretakers of
possessions.
There is a big difference between standard of living and
quality of life. Standard of living is based on income
earned. Quality of life is the enjoyment of the millions of
minutes in between accomplishments.
Having money is only one aspect of wealth. To the sick
person, wealth is health. To the lonely person, wealth is
someone to talk to and share with. To the estranged person,
wealth is hearing words of love and forgiveness.
Borrowing the free verse style from Brother Jeremiah's
classic poem, I'd Pick More Daisies, here are a few things
I'd do, the second time around.
I'd laugh at my misfortunes more. Spend more time counting
my blessings than my blemishes. Spend more time playing with
my children and grandchildren and less time watching
performers in the arena.
More time enjoying what I have, less time thinking about the
things I don't have. If I could live my life again, I'd walk
in the rain more without an umbrella and listen less to
weather reports.
I'd spend more time looking at trees and climbing them, less
time flipping through magazines made from dead trees. I'd
spend more time fully involved in the present moment, less
time remembering and anticipating. I'd smile more, frown
less.
And most of all I'd be more spontaneous and active, less
hesitant and subdued. When some spur of the moment idea came
up to go hiking, playing Frisbee, coloring Easter eggs,
singing in a chorus, going kayaking, or watching an eclipse,
I'd be less likely to sit in my chair objecting, "It's not
in our plan."
I'd be inclined to jump up and run out the door next time
and say, "Yes, we can!" Although I can't live my life again,
I'm still going to live the new way every day any way. I'll
never have all the moments I've missed, but I do have all
the time remaining.
Action Idea: Choose one activity this month that you really
want to engage in, but that you have been putting off
because it isn't a priority.
Schedule that activity in your planner, as if it were a
"must do" business or financial commitment. When you have
done it, while you are still feeling good, schedule one for
next month, and do it as long as you live.
