Imagine a to-do list that is only as full as you want it to be, full of things that really matter to you and bring satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.  Imagine going throughout your life feeling like a success.  Imagine setting goals and having a clear plan of how to accomplish them.  Imagine balancing your life with hard work and renewal.  This virtue season, you’ll learn to, and practice, just that.

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"Act with Balance" has six core principles. The core principles are arranged in pairs, with each part of the pair balancing the other:

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1. Work Hard:​

Flex your metaphorical or literal muscles. Do things that require effort and exertion.  As you push yourself just barely beyond what you thought you were capable of doing, you discover new strength. 

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If you never work hard, you won’t be productive and you’ll never increase your ability.

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> Think of a time when you worked hard to achieve a goal.  What were the short- and long-term results of that effort?

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2. Rest and Renew:​

Relax your metaphorical or literal muscles in a way that helps you increase the amount of energy available to you.  This is an important balance to working hard.

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If you never rest and renew, you won’t have any energy left and life will feel like a drag. But if you’re resting all the time, you’ll feel lazy and stagnant.

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One warning: some people think that any fun activity is the same thing as rest and renewal. This isn’t necessarily the case. Activities like social media and video games can function as escapism. Escapism isn’t necessarily bad, but it doesn’t renew us in the same way as activities like meditation, creative expression, in-person fun with friends and family, yoga or qigong, journaling, etc. can do for us.  

 

Only you can judge whether an activity is true rest and renewal for you.
 

> Think of an activity you use to rest and ask yourself the following:

> Does it leave me feeling more energized to work?

> Do I feel more alive after doing it?

> Does it strengthen a relationship or act as self care?

> What can you do to strike a balance between making time for rest and renewal and making time to work hard?

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3. Take Risks:​

Try new things, even if there is risk involved. This doesn’t mean that you have to sign up for skydiving lessons to have a fulfilled life.  Taking risks can be as simply profound as experimenting with approaching routines, problems, relationships, etc. in ways you’ve never tried before. For some people, trying a new vegetable or sitting at a different table in the cafeteria can be a risk experiment.

 

Taking risks just means having the courage to change things up from the normal routine.

 

If you never take risks and try new things, you’ll never discover things you could do that allow for wonderful new opportunities. But if you take too many or unwise risks, you’re likely to get unnecessarily hurt or feel overwhelmed.

 

> Do you think you are more or less of a risk taker than you were when you were younger? What does this teach you about yourself?

> What is something new you can try this week?

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4. Play it Safe:​

Use the approach that you know is safe.  This virtue provides a healthy balance with taking risks.

 

If you never return to what you know is safe and effective, your life will feel unstable and you won’t be able to reap the benefits of consistently applying what you know to work. But if you spend every moment of your life in the safe zone, you’ll miss out on new things that could have improved your circumstances.

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> What are some tried & true things you can safely return to?

> How can you strike a balance between taking risks and playing it safe?

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Try this!

When life feels overwhelming, it can help to have a “safe place,” either in our minds or a physical space. Take some time to create this special retreat for yourself physically and/ or in your mind through meditation.

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5. Go Outward:​

Serve a larger group than you are currently serving. Look around you and see who you could positively influence.  If you are unsure, ask around (even social media can be helpful) and see how you can serve your community.  Even a one-time volunteer opportunity can be a huge blessing for you and those you are helping.

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If you never go outward and let yourself have an impact on a greater sphere of people, you may experience the emptiness of selfishness, and miss out on the joy of impacting others for good with your unique talents.

 

But if you are serving large numbers of people all the time, you will experience the tragedy of failing to take care of yourself and those closest to you.  The key here is to check your priorities frequently and follow that gut instinct to step up or step back.

 

> What causes call to you? What are you passionate about?

> What did you do (or want to do) as a child or young person to help people?

> What can you know when you're overstretching yourself to help others?

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6. Go Inward:​

Focus on taking care of a smaller group than you are currently taking care of. This smaller group is often yourself and your family. Balancing this virtue with going outward and serving your larger community is an important focus and skill.

 

If you focus on those closest to you, your personal needs (and the needs of your family and other close relationships) will be neglected. This is a cataclysmic neglect that is all too common in today’s world. If you spend all your time inward; however, you might become selfish and fail to give your unique contribution to the larger community.

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> What can you do to serve yourself today?

> Is there anyone close to you who is receiving less from you than people you're less close to?

> How can you strike a balance between Going Outward and Going Inward?

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Try this!

Pay attention to the people closest to you today. Ask your Higher Power to help you know which of them could use your influence and attention the most today, and put that at the top of your priority list.  As you care for that person today, pay attention to the gratitude and love you feel for that person and express that to them.