Balance 101. This is where success and happiness begin.
Basic truth for beginners, a refresher for advanced

These basic truths apply to every human being. Seriously — every single person can balance life by considering and practicing the ideas explained below.
- Truth: Faster seems better. We live in a high-speed, immediate action, high stakes, huge-potential world. Think of it like NASCAR. Cars and drivers built to go seriously fast. They navigate crowds of steel at speeds up to 200 mph. Every move is critical and potentially “live or die”, “win or lose”. But those cars and their drivers make pit-stops. They have a crew supporting them. They check their fluids, air up the tires (or replace them) and they take a breath. Balance: We all need daily pit-stops, refueling and support crew! How are you getting those today? What are you feeding your body? Are your breaks re-energizing you? Who are you turning to for alignment?
- Truth: Tribe rules. You are one-in-a-million. But there are more than 7 billion people on this Earth and we all have a tribe. Finding your tribe doesn’t mean connecting with people who share your field or career path, or even people who love the same hobbies you do. Members of your tribe may include a huge variety of individuals with varying careers, backgrounds, religions, and talents. What you and your tribe have in common is your energy. You are like minded in things that matter at our core, like compassion, hopes, and spirit. And because most of us spend time with people from other tribes every day, it’s important to also include your tribe in every day. Balance: Your vibe attracts your tribe, so rule #1 is ‘be yourself’. You are amazing. Rule #2 is to allow others to be themselves around you. Pocket judgment and ditch negativity whenever possible. If you can follow those two rules, you’ll feel it when someone is part of your tribe, and when you are part of theirs. If you open yourself to it, you’ll actually feel that positive energy. Recognize it and let them in.
- Truth: There never seems to be enough time in a day. We prioritize our tasks via to-do lists, schedules, alarms and reminders. A person can get a whole lot done in a day, and still feel out of sorts and “not quite right” when the day is done. That is the result of prioritizing tasks but not goals and emotions. Balance: Make a list of what you want. Not “stuff” but feelings and accomplishments, and be honest. Now prioritize the list. What is most important? That’s #1, and so on. Now start to move your to-do lists, schedules, alarms and reminders toward reaching those goals. It doesn’t have to be all at once. You may just add one thing at a time. You may need to also remove one thing at a time. But you are in control and if you persist, you’ll find balance and a whole lot of happiness.
- Truth: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” (Winston Churchill said that). For several years I was the chair of my synagogue’s Social Action Committee. On more than one occasion during sign-ups for blood drives, someone would ask me if there would be a T-Shirt. Like “Oh, if I sign up will I get one of the Red Cross blood donor shirts?” Unfortunately, giving in order to receive, while potentially beneficial, is not how we gain balance by giving. The balance comes from the experience and exchange of honest good-will. As so beautifully chronicled by Cami Walker in “29 Gifts”, a small gift can change someone’s day and spread ripples forever. Giving can change you. Balance: Take the challenge. Give a gift every day. 5 days, 10 days, 29 days, whatever you want to try for. Each day, give something that you would not otherwise have given. The gifts don’t have to cost money. It could be a phone call to a relative just to say hi and that you love them, or bringing a cup of tea back from the lunch-room for your desk-mate, or mailing a letter to someone who once helped you to just say thank you. Give it away and you will find it balances out beautifully.
- Truth: It’s easier than ever to join the conversation. You don’t have to be with someone to have a conversation. You don’t have to speak to have a conversation. Conversations are happening constantly. They include spoken words, written/typed words, attitude, and behavior. Each form of conversation is comprised of some version of “speaking” and some version of “listening”. You are having a conversation when you check out at the grocery store. You are having a conversation when you navigate morning traffic. You are having a conversation when you email a vendor. And you are having a conversation when you get home at the end of the day (with your housemates and/or yourself). Balance: Communication is a two-way street. Conversations need to be a balance of listening with attention and speaking with intention. (click here for a great article about communication). Pay attention to what you are saying with your words, your emails, your patience (or lack of), your expression, and your courtesy (or rudeness). Practice intention when people are communicating with you. Listen carefully, read thoroughly, consider possibilities, take a moment to look from their vantage point, give the benefit of positive intention. We give up so much balance simply by conducting unbalanced conversations all day. Balance your conversations, balance your life.

If you start or renew these steps, you will begin to find a balance that leads to open doors. You will feel better and have more energy. You will meet new people who help you to achieve your goals. You will feel more like yourself and you’ll know yourself better. You will make the world a better place.
Get started today.
- Take time for pit-stops. Breathe. Re-fuel.
- Surround yourself with your tribe. Be in touch.
- Prioritize your existence. Act accordingly.
- Give it away. Karma is a magical yet very real thing.
- Speak with an open mind, listen with an open heart.

I am so glad to open a conversation with you. What ideas for balance do you have to share? What challenges would you like help tackling?
I am Rachel Tawil Kenyon. Click on my profile for articles about living a balanced existence at work and at home.
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