September, 2014 , Presidio
Sentinel San Diego
WHAT
NOW? SENSITIVE TECHNIQUES FOR A BALANCED LIFE
By
Laura Walcher
“it’s all about balance,” said movie mogul George
Lucas, who juggled raising two children as a single father, his movies and
Skywalker Ranch (the mini-city of which he is not merely mayor, but king). He can probably afford to buy all the
balance he wants.
Bill Gates says, just use digital
systems.
I, for one, recognize the universality of these
problems, if not their solutions.
Personally, I regularly violate my most important mantra for balancing
my life, which is, “be more mindful.”
That is, be more thoughtful about whatever I’m doing. It’s not exactly a unique problem. Recently, as I lamented about my
failures, my most mindful friend lamented that she only remembered on a Friday
night that her passport was in the bank deposit box, and that she was leaving
for Europe before dawn on
Monday. She had to change her
entire itinerary to leave a day later in order to retrieve her passport.
Unmindful
to the max.
What is our problem? Less time than ever to think about
anything, never mind implementing
self-improvement plans. We’re on
fast track at home and at work.
Voice-mails and “communication” technologies enable us to avoid
time-eating personal connection.
We try to beat the clock, beat the train. We’re bombarded by new issues and information – often
useless, but diverting – which we are nevertheless compelled to consider.
Inexpert tho’ I am, I offer
brief but workable solutions. Most
came to me as I – with a iife as complicated as yours – realized that they
constituted what I call my “balancing act.” Until now, they’ve been locked deep in my unconscious, where
you may wish they had stayed, but I’m betting …. Not.
Technique to Increase
Self-Confidence and Boost Self Image:
Realize that you already know
nearly every item of self-help advice ever offered. For instance, it’s hard to believe how many times, “set
realistic goals” shows up. Is that
that a no-brainer, or what? We
seriously intend to lose 50 lbs. by January? We expect to be on Mars by Christmas? Not reading any advice column other
than this one will save you a great deal of time.
Ten-Second Technique to Energize,
Improve Your Appearance:
Stand
Up Straight.
Now, before you complain that
this advice is too simplistic, try it.
When it works (which it will), sit up straight, too.
Short
Technique to Freshen, Activate, Your Brain & Body:
Take a walk of any length in
any weather, every day. (If you
need additional motivation, get a dog.)
Sure-Fire Technique to Acquire
Perspective & Slow the Perception of Time Flying By:
Get
to know a child, younger than five.
Two
No-Fail Techniques to Stimulate Your Intellect:
Attend a cultural event
(concert, art or museum exhibit) every month.
Read
one travel story every week.
Technique
to Avoid Raging Cynicism:
Everybody has their troubles,
and you rarely know what they are. Give everyone a break; cut ‘em some slack.
Not
Too Bad Technique to Improve Overall Happiness:
Eat
a little fat in every meal.
Now, this excellent advice
probably has a sound, scientific foundation, but I don’t know what it is, and I
don’t have time to find out.
Obviously, if you are obese, you must take that into consideration, and
- - you don’t really have to “check with your physician first,” before you
embark on a diet or exercise regime.
Just use your head.
Daily
Techniques for Increased State of General Calm:
Check your calendar early to
see what’s coming up instead of what you missed.
Dine only with people you
like. This is particularly important in business, since these meals can be in
and of themselves harrowing. If to
that you add the discomfort of not liking your companions, you seriously
increase your chances of extended agitation, to say nothing of
indigestion.
If you further socialize
with those you don’t like, well, that’s “commotion,” and you should evaluate
your whole life, which, far from being time- sensitive, is extremely
time-consuming.
Technique
for Feeling That You Matter:
Do something. Respond to social problems with
action. Tutor an illiterate
person, visit a shut-in, mentor a
kid. If these still take too much
time, write a check. ###
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