Walking the tight-rope…

Written by: Marjorie
May 1, 2008

This New Year gone I decided to get real and not make any resolutions but instead and only, a decision to live a more balanced life. My circumstance of having no daily responsibilities other than to myself, my business and two cats, whilst having obvious advantages, also allows me to overindulge elsewhere resulting in waning self discipline, build up of stress and a distracted life.

I decided I needed intervention of the ‘mind body spirit’ kind. Think Yin and Yang, Hare with the Krishna and so on :) If I could get that balance right, all would be good…

Thankfully, writing this month’s Reading Space contribution to The Calm Space is a timely reminder to gauge how I am doing since I made that decision. Let’s just say it is still a work in progress…and I needed the reminder…:)

I offer my pick of books to assist your desire for that more balanced life. The first is a repeat of a title I have mentioned before and as relevant.

Being in Balancebeing in balance

In this inspirational work, best-selling author and lecturer Wayne W. Dyer shows you how to restore balance in your life by offering nine principles for realigning your thoughts so that they correspond to your highest desires.

Imagine a balance scale with one end weighted down to the ground, and the other end - featuring the objects of your desires - sticking up precariously in the air. This scale is a measurement of your thoughts. To restore the same balance that characterizes everything in our universe, you have to take up the weighty thoughts so that they match up to your desires.

The seasons reflect the overall harmony of life. For example, winter passes and the blossoms emerge. This is balanced by a need to have the trees rest, so autumn arrives on time and helps the trees ready themselves for another period of repose. This book is dedicated to the idea that we’re a vital component of this creative process and have within ourselves the wherewithal to create all that we want if we recognize and revise out-of-balance thoughts.

Tao Teh Chingtao teh ching

Written more than two thousand years ago, the Tao Teh Ching, or “The Classic of the Way and Its Virtue,” has probably had a greater influence on Asian thought than any other single book. It is also one of the true classics of the world of spiritual literature. Traditionally attributed to the near-legendary “Old Master,” Lao Tzu, the Tao Teh Ching teaches that the qualities of the enlightened sage or ideal ruler are identical with those of the perfected individual.

Today, Lao Tzu’s words are as useful in mastering the arts of leadership in business and politics as they are in developing a sense of balance and harmony in everyday life. To follow the Tao or Way of all things and realize their true nature is to embody humility, spontaneity, and generosity.

John C. H. Wu has done a remarkable job of rendering this subtle text into English while retaining the freshness and depth of the original. A jurist and scholar, Dr. Wu was a recognized authority on Taoism and the translator of several Taoist and Zen texts and of Chinese poetry.

Recipes for a Great Liferecipes for a great life

Do you ever feel stuck in a rut? Unfit and unhealthy? Do you wish you had more time to enjoy yourself, to spend with friends, to eat well and feel better?

Recipes for a Great Life will provide you with the blueprint for achieving the life balance that so many of us find difficult to get right. Respected food and health experts Gabriel Gaté and Rob Moodie share their experience and wisdom in discussing all aspects of a busy modern lifestyle – time management, motivation, food and alcohol, health and fitness, sexuality and friendship, and managing stress.

Each topic is tackled with clarity and a practical, step-by-step guide to achieving a balance and improving your overall wellbeing.

Features include a 10-week program to improve all elements of your overall health, as well as more than 60 simple and nourishing recipes. All fully illustrated throughout.

An inspiring and timely book to motivate and help turn your life and health around.

The 4-Hour Work Weekthe 4 hour work week

In The 4-Hour Work Week, Ferriss explores the epidemic of information, abuse and addiction that has left us overwhelmed and confused, and poorer for it, and asks us to rethink our lives. Ferriss is convinced that we can lead a rich life by working only 4 hours a week, freeing up the rest of our time to spend it living the lives we want.

The 4-Hour Work Week is not another book on work-life balance describing the problems we all face. It is about creating solutions. Ferriss teaches you the tips and tricks of the 20/80 rule so you no longer have to wait to retire to enjoy fun, travel and adventure; shows you how to find your muse; replace your dreams with goals and how to ‘add life’ after subtracting work. So, take a step back and follow these principles:

Definition: Define what you want to be doing

Elimination: Ask yourself three times a day ‘am I being productive, or am I being busy?’ Get rid of the noise and interruption

Automation: Delegate or automate the remaining tasks, even sending personal tasks overseas

Liberation: Enjoy your mobility and use the time you create

Perfect Balanceperfect balance

Won’t life be perfect when . . .

…you feel you have all the time in the world - for work, for family and friends, for your own needs and development

…you’re motivated and inspired to perform at your best you make sound decisions and quickly recover from setbacks

…your world is simple and uncluttered

…your life has meaning and purpose

…you discover real peace and contentment

All this is possible.

In Perfect Balance, Paul Wilson - businessman and international bestselling author - reveals the techniques and strategies for finding balance between all the different parts of your busy life. You can do this without working harder or longer. By taking this more relaxed approach - the Calm Way - you’ll bring all of your resources into play at once to achieve perfect balance in your life.

Marjorie Engage Your Passion! Slim Ink Book Rental - your premium library on the internet | http://www.thecalmspace.com/about#marjorie

Comments

2 Responses to “Walking the tight-rope…”

  1. Angela EsnoufNo Gravatar on May 1st, 2008 5:33 pm

    There are some definite must reads there for me. Thanks, Marj.

  2. Chris OwenNo Gravatar on May 5th, 2008 11:40 am

    Hi Marj
    There are indeed some definite must reads as Angela has said.
    But I also want to say thanks for sharing more of Your Voice in this article. It’s lovely to have you step out from behind your book shelf and share you as well as your books!

Got something to say?