THE BALANCING ACT
Building Balance for Better Living

September 2006

Sept. 12 Guaranty Bank- Giving to your community

Sept. 13 Verizon- Surviving your roaring rapids

Sept. 20 Coldwell Banker- Surviving your roaring rapids

Sept. 20 Avnet- Self Care: The art of giving to yourself

Sept. 21 Guaranty Bank- Balance Driven Leadership

Sept. 28 Cigna- Surviving your roaring rapids

What is the foundation of your happiness, meaning, and balance? What is the foundation of your self-concept, self-esteem, and self-confidence?

Albert Einstein once said, "Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a Spirit is manifest in the Laws of the Universe-a Spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we, with our modest powers, must feel humble."

A day does not go by in the safety of my counseling office that a client struggling with these issues asks for my answer. As a trained professional counselor I do not force my values on others, though I do encourage people to explore their spiritual beliefs, their concept of God, and develop spiritual balance.

One of my favorite scriptures that teaches spiritual balance is by King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 7:15-18 written in the New International Version.

In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness. Do not be over righteous, neither be over wise-why destroy yourself? Do not be over wicked, and do not be a fool-why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.

Here are three tips to balance the scales of your spiritual connection.

1. Develop your concept of God as the ultimate and superior source of happiness, meaning, self-confidence, and balance. This is difficult for many people who compare God consciously or unconsciously to their earthly father figure.

Life is meaningless and chaotic without a foundation and relationship with God. God is the center that gives balance to the edges of your life!

2. Humble yourself daily by admitting your need for God. Trust God for power to live a balanced and healthy life. Repeat the old saying, "I know there is a God and I'm not HIM."

3. Practice regular spiritual workouts. Building and maintaining spiritual connection is a discipline like exercise. Read, meditate, pray, worship, give, share your story, etc.

Do you want or need to talk to Brent about spiritual balance?

Does your workplace value and encourage work/life balance?

How could your company be a more balance driven business? 

Brent's top 10 tips...

1. Flex-time: Can you alter your work schedule to be flexible and attend your child's activity, take care of personal business, or take your aging parent to the doctor?

2. Telecommuting: Will your workplace allow you time to work from your home PC and internet rather than commuting back and forth from the traditional office?

3. Child Care: Does your workplace offer onsite or near-site child care services? Do they provide child care spending accounts for tax relief?

4. Elder Care: Many Baby Boomers are in the "Sandwich Generation" taking care of their children as well as aging parents. Does your workplace cut the mustard in Elder Care?

5. In house store/services: Many companies committed to work/life balance have convenience stores with a pharmacy, dry cleaner, tailor, jewelry repair, shoe repair, and hair salon.

6. Paternity Leave: With the passing of the Family and Medical Leave Act companies can allow workers off to care for children, elders, family emergencies, etc.

7. Education and Training: Does your company invest in cutting edge learning opportunities and promote training attendance to the work force?

8. EAP (Employee Assistance Program): Do you take advantage of the free benefits offered through your company EAP? Check with your HR for the 800 number and all the resources available.

9. Wellness Center: Many companies either provide a state of the art gym or provide discount to workout facilities. Are you sitting on the couch or taking advantage of your company workout facility?

10. Fun Loving Corporate Culture: Does your business promote playfulness, humor, and laughter?

Send this newsletter to your HR department and invite your HR representative to...

Call 903-819-0301 or  Contact Brent Now.

Sure, the world has some serious problems like abuse, aids, cancer, economic decline, disease, global warming, hunger, violence, and war.

However, like John McEnroe once said in a screaming fit to a tennis linesman,  (“You can’t be serious!” I can relate to this, and also want to scream those same words along with McEnroe!)

You can be serious minded, professional, and playful at the same time!

How do we lighten up and become more playful? How do we replace the frown and serious wrinkles with a smile and laugh lines? How do we become less focused on winning and losing and more enlightened on how we PLAY the game?

One way is to Smile!

Psychologist James Laird of Clark University discovered that frowns trigger painful memories and smiling triggers happy memories. Go ahead, try it.  Frown with your entire face for 60 seconds. Hold it and notice your thoughts and feelings. Now relax and smile with your entire face for 60 seconds. Hold it for the entire 60 seconds and notice your thoughts and feelings.

Congratulations, you have just exercised your zygomaticus muscles. If your face feels tired after smiling, you probably need to smile more!

Lighten up and remember, "Smiling costs nothing, but it gains a lot of interest!"

How do you lighten up?

  Send your story to Brent now!  

• Do you have a question or comment for Brent?
• Do you or someone you know need counseling or coaching?
• Do you or your organization need a speaker/training workshop?
• What topics would you like Brent to write about in upcoming issues?

View Brent's resources at www.brentspeaks.com