{"id":18233,"date":"2014-07-05T15:20:16","date_gmt":"2014-07-05T07:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=18233"},"modified":"2014-07-06T17:05:07","modified_gmt":"2014-07-06T09:05:07","slug":"b-is-for-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2014\/07\/05\/b-is-for-balance\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cB\u201d is for Balance"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"shutterstock_176613440\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I am not the type of person who goes with fads, trends, or this-and-that latest craze. Never have been, never will be.<\/p>\n

I choose, instead, to blaze my own trail, and hope that I don\u2019t burn anything down, in the process.<\/p>\n

Like the time I decided to go vegetarian.<\/p>\n

It was Manila, 1991, and vegetarianism was virtually unheard of. In a city of fried pork loving people, I may as well have said I was Santa Claus. \u201cYou\u2019re WHAT???\u201d Vegetarian. \u201cWHAAAAAAAAAAAT???\u201d VEGETARIAN!!! This was the usual back and forth between me and some bug-eyed incredulous person, and it would normally end with me walking away in frustration, and they raising their hands in surrender. And disbelief. With a hint of confusion.<\/p>\n

My veg days stretched on for 21 years, including 9 years of going vegan.<\/p>\n

Until one day, on assignment for a travel magazine (the publishers of which would usually call the resort beforehand to explain \u2013 more accurately, apologize for \u2013 my dietary restrictions), it all came to a grinding halt.<\/p>\n

The Executive Chef, a big and burly Austrian fellow, had prepared a four-course meal for me to sample. As each dish was served, I grew more and more suspicious that the call from my publishers had not been made, this time around \u2013 each dish somehow had a smidgen of meat. Third dish comes around, the pi\u00e8ce de r\u00e9sistance, presented by no less by big and burly Austrian himself. \u201cAnd now,\u201d he said with flourish, \u201cfor my \u2018SPECIAAAALITY! MOROCCAN LAMB SHANK!\u201d<\/p>\n

My heart sank lower than the restaurant\u2019s Grecian-inspired tiled floor. What was obviously intended to be a big \u201cTAH-DAH!!!\u201d moment was a huge \u201cOH NOOOOOOO!\u201d moment, for me. I felt I would pass out, from panic. My daughter (who was allowed to tag along) kicked me several times underneath the table; eyes wide with alarm, thought bubble reading: \u201cMAMA!!! What now???\u201d<\/p>\n

Well. What choice did I have? I timidly took a tiny-ish piece, with the excuse that I was already stuffed from the previous courses. Of course, big and burly Austrian would not have it. \u201cNo, no no! THIS is how you eat it!\u201d, dumping a huge piece onto my plate, then drowning it in lamb drippings.<\/p>\n

Next day, on the 8-hour drive back to Manila, I was all shades of green; as I lay on my daughter\u2019s lap. It was not a pretty sight at all. I knew then that I had to adjust. Between that experience \u2013 and being called into my publisher\u2019s office for the whole \u201cYou know, we are having a hard time sending you out and now you have to choose\u2026\u201d speech \u2013 I knew one thing had to give. My lifestyle \/diet of choice, or my travel writing.<\/p>\n

I decided I was not yet ready to give up traveling, so\u2026<\/p>\n

I have since gone back to meat-eating, slowly re-integrating it back into my diet, but still eat heaping amounts of veggies and fruits, with much smaller amounts of animal anything.<\/p>\n

And this is how I have found a balance between career, and personal life choices; such as diet. I\u2019d like to think it has made me more stable, in all aspects.<\/p>\n

Yin and yang, I suppose. Balance. One of the most basic building blocks of a healthy, happy life.<\/p>\n

A balancing act<\/h6>\n

Beyond this-and-that latest craze, balance should be the ultimate goal. A holistic kind of health which permeates spirit, soul and body. Finding balance is vital to health, and to happiness.<\/p>\n

As American writer and mystic, Thomas Merton said: \u201c\u201cHappiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony.\u201d<\/p>\n

In today\u2019s world, balance is often as elusive as Wonderland\u2019s White Rabbit, leaving us wondering where it has gone and why it is seemingly beyond our grasp. Daily life, as hurried, high-pressure and harassed as it generally is, can leave you feeling exhausted, frustrated, anxious, stressed out, depressed, unfulfilled, and unhappy. And, needless to say, but I will say it anyway, these all take a toll on your health. Many \u201cmodern-day illnesses \u201care borne of these negative conditions: panic and stress-related disorders, depression, insomnia, fatigue, to name a few.<\/p>\n

Finding balance; CREATING it in your life, is a must, for a healthier and happier you.<\/p>\n

Inside and out<\/h6>\n

The aspects of our life that require balance can \u2013 according to Harvard-trained cardiologist, internist, health advocate and author, Dr. Cynthia Thaik \u2013 be divided into the internal and the external.<\/p>\n

\u201cInternally, you need to find a balance for your mind, heart, soul, and health. Externally, you need to balance your work, social life, family, friends, and hobbies,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

So here\u2019s the key to finding balance, in a nutshell: we must pay attention and nurture each aspect of our lives in as equal amounts as possible.<\/p>\n

For instance, feed your mind by making sure to devote some time daily to reading (my personal goal is one book a month, at least), or working on word puzzles and brain activities \u2013 that sort of thing.<\/p>\n

Commit to exercise and a healthy, natural as possible diet, to keep your body in shape.
\nTake time to meditate, pray, commune with your spirit.<\/p>\n

Take on a interesting and enjoyable pastime, as well \u2013 something you enjoy doing.<\/p>\n

Appreciate the little things in life. Maintain a thankful heart.<\/p>\n

Connect with family and friends as often as you can. Maintain a healthy social life and communication with the people who matter most to you. I personally look forward to spending time with my daughter, movie dates or brunch dates with my dearest of friends, and such.<\/p>\n

These are just some things you can do to create balance in all aspects of your life. I find that mapping it out \u2013 making a schedule and keeping to it \u2013 is an effective way for me to stay on track.<\/p>\n

Tips to creating balance<\/h6>\n

To expound on some of the points mentioned above, here are some useful tips to help create balance in your life, as detailed on the Essential Life Skills website:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Know yourself and how much rest, food and exercise you need to function at your best. There are many good books and websites that give great advice on diet and exercise. Decide what works best for you and implement it into your routine.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Keep your mind alert and in shape. Try to learn a new piece of information each day. Read, and read some more. Converse with others; talk about new discoveries you made in the day, or events that transpired.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Stay connected with family and friends. At the end of the day share with your spouse and children how the day went for each of you. We lead busy lives but we should never be too busy to connect with and make at least one phone call to a parent, sibling or friend during the day.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Do something spontaneous. Our lives can be too regimented at times so it’s a good idea to do something out of the ordinary every now and then.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Make time for yourself. At the end of each day, take time to unwind and devote some time towards yourself.<\/p>\n

Benefits of balance<\/h6>\n

In the process of creating balance in our lives, we often find that we are able to focus on all the important areas of our lives, and move away from the unnecessary stuff. This, in turn, helps to make our lives more meaningful and fulfilled.<\/p>\n

When balance is created, and the important things are in focus, this allows us to overcome if and when negative things do happen \u2013 which they do, life being what it is.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, establishing balance in your life will enable you to be more productive and successful \u2013 and make you a whole lot healthier and happier.<\/p>\n

Dr. Thaik points out that: \u201cLiving in balance is very important and extremely rewarding because your life becomes more joyful, serene, and vibrant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Plus, it enables you to keep your job and eat your Moroccan lamb shank, too. Without offending big and burly Austrian chefs, or turning green, for that matter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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