by cr0cus

Created on: April 10, 2009   Last Updated: July 01, 2009

Habits are the metamorphosis of strenuous work and strict discipline. Just as any ugly caterpillar can turn into a beautiful butterfly, we are also capable of changing. The catch is one has to endure the cocoon process. The sooner you get started, the earlier you become - the more distance you can cover.

Man is a three-part being: body, soul, and spirit. Keeping life in balance requires all three. An activity may be good for the body, but may not be for the soul. Others may also starve the spirit, the most neglected of all.

First off, to which part do we begin? The first gleam of consciousness: start your morning right. How? By waking up in appreciation. An attitude of gratitude keeps life in perspective. The wisest man of all time once said, "Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life."

Second, move that body. Embrace exercise. It's all about movement and circulation. You are meant to move.

Third, eat right and natural. Eat any food that suits your fancy, and then water it all down. The balance is garbage in, garbage out.

Fourth, laugh and play. Do recreations that befit your ageing body. Sharpen your mind. Restraint is but guidance, not the rule.

Fifth, express yourself. Don't hold it in. Write it down or verbalize. Materialize your mind. Share your pain and celebrate your joy. Find a familiar shoulder to cry on and a consented back to lean on. Life is a wheel; we can't always be on top.

Sixth, hang on to family. Supposedly, your secret stays with them. They're there and available to keep you humble. We need biased love from time to time.

Seventh, learn to love. Hold and be held. It has never been good to be alone. Express a kind of love that is free of guilt, regret, and unlikable consequences. Pursue a love that can grow on to a next level of commitment.

Eighth, care for a pet. Animals remind us to preserve life in our midst. It builds esteem and order. Be a master; be adored when you get home.

Ninth, stop the silence; don't get used to it - it numbs you. Play some music. Hear others out; listen to colors. However, it goes the other way for the mp3-plugged ears: stop the noise. Listen to yourself in solitude. Don't shut the world around you. Associate and interact. Feel the common pain and react. You have two ears to hear: one for you and the other for whomever. Be moderate.

Tenth, systemize your spirituality. People keep on searching the whole world to find that one thing to fill their unsatisfied hearts, but only to discover that something is still missing. Only God can fill the emptiness, and make it last. He is the Author of Balance.

In closing, life is not undertaken in just ten steps; it's more important to understand why. "With all thy getting, get understanding." Balance is just a facet of wisdom. Applied wisdom is a daily basis, not just one time. Knowing is only half the battle. Doing is everything.

The idea of a perfect balance is only an idea. It's like walking - at one moment in time, only one foot takes all the weight; otherwise, you're not moving at all. If you're on your feet, then you're just standing. Standing your ground is good, but only for a little while. More of that and you'll be left behind. The key is second wind: keep on keeping on.

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