by Bert Alweiss

Created on: April 10, 2009   Last Updated: April 15, 2009

Wholeness of body, mind and spirit is the sum-total of a balanced life achieved through a long practice of disciplined habits. Just what is a balanced life? And why do we want to achieve it?

In Eastern thought, life is composed of two opposing elements, the Yin and the Yang, which in their duality appears contradictory but is interconnected and complementary within a greater universal whole. Everything in the natural world, the growth of living things, the quality of the food we eat, the changes of time, the socialization of men, and how the human mind works are intrinsically woven; and, they either rise or fall, ebb and flow as a result of the eternal struggle and unity of opposites. The balance of the universe is the end-state of the contradiction between opposing forces.

So is our pursuit for happiness in life and the balance we hope to achieve in the midst of forces we enounter inside or outside our worldview. First we need to break down the core elements and how we should embrace themas basic habits that can help achieve equilibrium.

1) Love your Work

Work can be drudgery if our aim is merely to earn. It can be an enjoyable activity if it gives meaning to our lives. Love your work. It is the source of actualizing yourself through the vocation you choose.

2) Be orderly

Clutter in the house is stressful. It does not make one "creative". Orderliness and cleanliness, they say, is next to godliness. The Japanese crafted the discipline to be orderly as the "5-S". They are Seiri (Tidiness), Seiton (Orderliness),Seiso (Cleanliness), Seiketsu (Standardization), Shitsuke (Discipline). This concept will help in maintaining order and wholesomeness of the house or room.

3) Interact with people

We are not an island in the big ocean. Go out and extend a hand in token of friendship and care. By helping others, you will find that others will equally reciprocate. Maintain a network of people who are also supportive to you in times of need.

4) Love the environment

By being aware of the environment, you will appreciate the meaning of our existence. The life sustained by this planet has a limit. Green up your lawn or do simple acts that will help extend the life of our planet such as recycling plastics, composting instead of burning wastes, walking in short distances to work, using up less paper, and other environment- friendly chores in the home.

5) Read and nurture the mind

An idle mind breeds undesirable thoughts. You need to stretch your imagination by reading articles that

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