Living a Balance Life by Design

In the article, "Seeking a Balanced Life," by Donald L. Hallstrom in the August 2003 Ensign, he states, "Leading a balanced life can be difficult for any of us. There is not an exact pattern that works for everyone, and even our own blueprint may change during different phases of life

In 1995, I was in a place where I knew I needed to take inventory of where I was headed.

For one,  I saw myself becoming one of those parents whose life was all about their child and I realized if I didn’t do something different not only would my life be off balance but my daughter’s life would be affected too. 

I begin to formulate a plan. A plan that I believed would set me up for success.

By 2000, things were coming together.  I bought a house.  I  had taken a new job in procurement ( with a pay cut – promising by year end my salary would surpasses what I was then making).  My daughter was entering high school.  I thought I would be well prepared when she went off to college.

How many of you know, even the best laid plans often don't turn out the way you expect. 

This is where the story gets interesting……….

Within a year, the bottom had fallen out of the telecommunication industry; layoffs, restructuring and retirement packages; resources were drying up quickly.  It couldn’t have been the worse time.  

  

By the time, a year had passed I was financially busted.  I had accumulated over $100,000 in credit card debit and this is just an estimate.  I was doing everything to keep my head above water.  But that was only the tip of the iceberg.

Late one night, I get a call, it is my 92 year old grandmother. "I can’t live by myself anymore and I chose you" is what she said.

My life was a mess.  What was I going to do?  I packed up my car drove 300 miles and picked my granny up.

There was times when I didn’t know if I was going or coming. I don't know how many times my electric was disconnected. It became a familiar sight to see foreclosure notices in the mailbox.

It was many times I almost acted on emotion and just walked away from everything.

Yet, my relationship with God …...allowed me to hold on.  

My beliefs and value system helped me to re-align my life and get things back into perspective. 

To truly understand balance, we have to recognize that it is through constant incremental movement; when things and people maintain their balance.

It is like riding bicycle, all things will work together.  You have to take into consideration the weather condition and the bumps in the road.  It is easier to make incremental adjustments and maintain your balance.  

It takes more work after your knocked off your bike to get back up and start again.

Things to take into consideration when faced with challenges:

1. Establish a foundation that will help you stand true to your values and believes

2. Drop unnecessary activities

3. Be accountable for where you are in life

4. Protect your private time

5. Accept help to maintain your perceptive

6. Talk with some who is willing to let you know you are going in the wrong direction

7. Plan fun and relax

Roman 8:28 stated that “all things works together for good to them that love him and are called according to his purpose.

Isaiah 54:17  
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from me, saith the LORD

Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,  And He shall direct^[a] your paths.