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Posted in Balanced Mind and Soul | April 2, 2010 | 20 Comments
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Image by When you start looking for balance and meaning in your life you might ask yourself “Where do I start?” There are so many important things in life and figuring out the first step is always the most difficult part.
If you’ve read my recent post My life is out of balance (well, if you didn’t then I recommend that you head over there right now) you know that balance has different meanings for each of us. Of course there can’t be one way that will work for everybody but I can show you how you can find your first step.
Life balance is about peace, harmony, happiness, serenity, meaning and fulfillment in life. If you can say that your life already has all that then you are a truly happy person. If you are still struggling with some areas then you need to find your own core.
The core is the part within you that lets you survive any crisis, that lets you find courage to follow your passion and that gives you meaning and reason for life. It is also the part that you can turn to if you feel sad or you can’t explain some things in your life. It is the part that gives you inspiration and strength day after day.
Ask yourself:
- Where do I seek strength if I am down?
- Where do I find inspiration?
- What gives me courage to do what I believe in?
- What gives my life meaning?
- What helps me be a good person?
Ultimately the answer to all these questions should be just one thing. This is your core belief.
You know that there are a lot of discussions about beliefs on personal development blogs right now and I am not going to start one of those discussions. I know that you have control over your beliefs and if you choose the right beliefs (versus limiting, traditional or unsupported beliefs) then you will find your core.
Okay, it is time for me to tell you what my core belief is. My core belief is my … faith. I am a Christian. I know that religion is not the most “fashionable” thing in the personal development sphere right now (and I understand that a lot of you, my readers, won’t support this idea) but this is my core. This core gives me courage to be honest and true to myself and this is the basis of life balance for me. I am not preaching here and I do not expect all of you to follow my ideas.
No matter what your background is, no matter whether you are religious or not and no matter what your beliefs are, I ask you to look inside of yourself. What do you see there? What is Your core? I hope that you’ll share your ideas in the comments below. Together we can come up with a lot of ideas that can help all of us find balance within. Happy Easter and
Keep it balanced!
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Do you want more Balance?
Hello, 
My core belief is too the faith that have me on myself. and i am sure without this life is not balance
Anastasiya,
Thank you for another very thoughtful post. Balance is something I really strive for… and usually have difficulty achieving.
I think one of the problems we have as a nation is that we are never really indoctrinated to cultivate balance in our lives. Most of us grow up being taught “hard work” as a primary value, and our definition of success is usually related to how many “things” we possess, or how much status or money we can accumulate. These teaching inherently contribute to life without balance.
One of the benefits I learned while living and working in Japan, and in Europe, is that life is not all about work.
You mention your faith is a balancing factor for you life, and it is great that you found that resource. While I am not devoutly Christian… or any other religion… I do foster personal spirituality through self reflection and (hopefully) the development of wisdom and strong personal bonds with nature.
This self reflection is what drove me to leave a high paying, status driven career and pursue a transition into psychology. I really wanted to understand how my mind works, and to help others who have mental challenges. I believe self reflection is the path that led me to re-evaluate the teachings (indoctrination?) of my upbringing and redefine success.
Essentially, I believe a balanced life has three core elements: physical, spiritual, and mental. Without any one of these, life cannot be balanced. And if one or more of these overwhelms the other life also falls out of balance. Just my personal philosophy.
I really like your blog. The concept of “balance in me” definitely resonates with me. I look forward to the next post!
Chris
I must say that I have found the concept of “all work and no play” predominating here in the US. In the country where I am from people sometimes forget about work and focus only on their “play” (this is probably Ukraine is still a third world country
Like you said, it is important to have a balance between work and play, pleasure and business.
Setting up priorities and core beliefs in life can help all of us find just the right balance for our lives. I hope that after reading my blog some people will be able to look inside themselves and see something new and exciting there.
Thank you for your wonderful comment Chris. You add wonderful thoughts and a wonderful discussion to my blog
Let me just say I don’t consider myself a “christian.” However I do stand for your right to say it as well as congratulate you for standing in your light and expressing it here. How many people have no idea of what their core belief is?
Maybe they’re the 1st ones to cast stones? (If you’ve read the bible you know all about “casting the first stone”)
Balance is in the eyes of the person who is experiencing it. It’s easier for someone to stand outside of them and judge what is balance and what is not. The man who loves what he does doesn’t work a day in his life. He maybe see’s his sacrifices as responsibilities.
Operating from our highest core values exposes or promotes us. For some it will motivate and for some it will inspire.
For one I love your work and I love the fact you know what you stand for and that is an amazing gift you have shared today.
Blessings
Hi Tony,
I believe that everybody has a right to make a choice in their lives but nobody has the right to judge those choices. I always highly respect people who can hold on to their beliefs no matter what even if I don’t agree with those beliefs. Staying true to your beliefs is always a sign of a strong person with a solid core. This person, like I’ve already said in the article, is able to survive any crisis and find their balance no matter what.
Thank you for your wonderful comment and your support!
I agree with you that it all begins with your core. When the foundation is strong, it becomes a lot more easier to put priorties in order. My core would be to continue to shed inspiration and empworement to countless indivduals by my creative expression.
Since this is my core at this stage in my life, I can better decipher how the other things in my life begin to balance itself out in harmony with my core.
Inightful read.
Hi Baker,
you have a great core! You are definitely a very inspiring person (I can say that after reading your blog) and I am glad that by giving to others you find strength in yourself. That’s awesome!
* Where do I seek strength if I am down?
* Where do I find inspiration?
* What gives me courage to do what I believe in?
* What gives my life meaning?
* What helps me be a good person?
Anastasiya as I come to the answer for these questions myself I feel a calm peace that has just come over me.
Learning to all of the above.
As far as faith goes, I don’t know if I know what it is anymore, but if it does all of that for you than go after it as hard as you can.
I am glad that you have found the answer to those questions, Justin. The feeling of inner calm is definitely the best feeling to walk through life with.
Great post Anastasiya! I feel we have the same core for I am a Christian too. Happy Easter!
I would say for me this is people I love. Whatever I am doing in life and all the perfection I am trying to achieve would not mean anything if it were not for them.
I often find that when I lose sight, I focus on the ultimate vision. I focus on things that are uplifting. Sometimes I look for ways of laughter, because I know that laughter is a healing medicine.
Exercise is another way that I create balance for my life outside of work. Thanks for sharing, you have some great tips that are very beneficial!!
Great post Anastasiya!!
Another wonderful and thought-provoking piece, thanks so much! I pray your Easter is gloriously blessed!
Trying to answer those 5 questions, I cannot come up with anything in particular. When I think back to all those examples, the only thing that keeps me going is making that resolve and creating a sense of urgency out of it. A desire to achieve what I want.
I started writing a blog. My goal is to keep writing on a consistent basis at least until I hit the 6 month mark. I am only at month and a half! But somehow I know that I will keep going at it, even though I do not see any immediate results.
Blogging has been helping me stay focused on my goal of getting my personal finances in order and also self discovery.
Here is a post I wrote on how we sabotage ourselves.
http://www.thesimplemachine.com/sabotaging-life/
If you happen to stop by my blog, I would love to hear your feedback!
I agree that there are different levels and degrees of balance for everyone. Balance can be on smaller scales and bigger scales. ie: Within working on a project creating balance between one task to another to break the monotony or to combat stress within the job itself.
Creating balance in life in general which I think is one way that applies to most. Balance from Work and play. Balance between friends and family. R&R, your share of Relaxation and/or vacation time.
Just some ideas of my own. Great post! Very enlightening…. thanks for sharing!!
Anastasiya, what an awesome post and what a great questions! You know I love questions, and I love yours! My core is freedom. I believe freedom is everything and I believe freedom is what we all ultimately strive for. I am not religious, but I do believe in God and I admire you for standing by what you believe in and not afraid to share it. Happy Easter to you and your beautiful family!
Anastasiya,
First, Happy Easter!
Another great post! I admire you for stating your core beliefs. Core beliefs are those beliefs that are unshakable, no matter what people think about us, and no matter what happens around us. They “anchor” us. I share the same core belief as you: I am a Christian and Christ is my rock. Like you, I do respect other peoples’ beliefs. Your blog is great because you write about universal principles that people of all beliefs can apply to their lives. Without our core beliefs our lives are not rooted; we end up getting blown around like leaves in the wind.
Keep up the great work with your blog.
Peace!
Hi guys,
I just wanted to thank you so much for all your wonderful and inspiring comments. It is my rule not to work on Sundays (and especially on Easter) but after reading all your words I just had to thank you.
Core beliefs, no matter what they are, are so important. I am glad that there are people who share my core belief and I am glad that there are people who have other beliefs that help them stay in balance and peace. I am also glad that all of you responded to this post and shared your vision with me and with other readers of this blog.
Happy Easter again!
Beautiful set of questions.
I find if I get stuck looking in the past with “what” questions and come up dry, I can shift gears and look to the future and ask, “how” can I find strength, “how” can I find inspiration … etc. It’s a subtle thing, but sometimes shifting the words in a subtle way opens up the flood gate.
Hi Beautiful Anastasiya,
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the lovely feeling I get just being here. It feels blissful, light, harmonious, balanced, and whole. I thank You. It is a well of LOVE.
I will ponder on these questions tonight and write in my journal. Thanks for giving me the inspiration:
* Where do I seek strength if I am down?
* Where do I find inspiration?
* What gives me courage to do what I believe in?
* What gives my life meaning?
* What helps me be a good person?
With Love always,
Therese Miu