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Laura V. Hyde Gifts of the Soul
A Quarterly Column
July-Sept 2005
by Laura Grace


Gifts of the Soul by Laura Hyde
Gifts of the Soul


Balancing Your Wheel of Life

Perhaps too much of everything is as bad as too little. --Edna Ferber

Imagine your life as a what the Buddhists refer to as the “wheel of life” and you are its “hub,” or center. Each spoke on your wheel represents a different aspect of your life: relationships, work, health, finances, spiritual growth, social activities and so forth. Is your wheel balanced, or are one of the spokes getting more attention than the rest? Like a wheel that is meant to rotate smoothly with each revolution, we are happiest when our lives are flowing smoothly because we are in balance.

You’ll know when you’re out of balance; life will feel heavy, your energy will be lower than usual and your enthusiasm for life may be missing. The problem may not necessarily be that there’s anything wrong, but that you’re overly focused on one area while neglecting others that are equally important to your well-being.  Which area might that be, you wonder? Well, it’s usually the one that you’re constantly thinking about, worrying about and probably talking about. Most likely it’s the one that your friends are tired of hearing about!

Sometimes we need to put the majority of our focus on one area while we’re working through something critical. This might include a recovery process or addressing some issue or crisis that needs our attention right now.   However, that is usually the exception.

For example, a few months ago, I delved into a three month period of intense meditation and spiritual practice. For ninety days I meditated upon waking, in the mid-afternoon, before dinner, and right before going to bed at night. I completely changed my schedule to accommodate all of the meditations and contemplation because I felt a strong desire to connect with my deepest self and to experience some significant internal shifts, which I did. However, I could not have kept up that pace forever. After ninety days it was time for me to reduce the amount of spiritual practice and integrate the other areas of my life back into my “wheel.” Spending time with others, working with clients, traveling, having fun--these are all integral to my living life to its fullest and having a sense of balance. The ninety days of intense spiritual practice was akin to fasting for it allowed me to release what no longer served my highest good which led to a more balanced lifestyle.

When I’m teaching workshops and pose the question, “Where are you most out of balance?”  The response I typically here is, “I’m not having enough fun.”  As summer unfolds and we’re touched by longer days of sunshine, notice if it’s time to add more fun into your life. The color yellow matches the color of the sun and symbolizes the qualities of humor, playfulness and cheer. It reminds us to “lighten up.” If it’s time for you to experience more lightness in your life, be willing to create a better balance. Develop and focus on the spokes in your wheel of life that have been neglected.  Attaining balance adds greater harmony and helps us to be hopeful and optimistic about the good in our lives. Vital optimism is a quality that runs deep in us; it's a belief that the best is yet to come.

© Copyright 2005 Laura Grace. All Rights Reserved.


 Laura's Books:

Gifts of the Soul by Laura Grace              The Intimate Soul by Laura Hyde


Read Laura's Past Columns:

April-June 2005 - "Imaginary Borders"

January-March 2005 - "Witnessing the Truth About Your Life"

October-December 2004 - "Letting Go"

August-September 2004 - "Progressing with Passion"

June-July 2004 - "Deepening Your Spiritual Practice"

April-May 2004 - "Life's Crossroads: Love-vs-Fear"

January-February 2004 - "Faith the Foundation for Every Dream"

December 2003 Column - "Touching the Heart of Others"

November 2003 Column - "Knowing How to Care for Yourself"

October 2003 Column - "Dreaming a Happy Life"

May 2003 Column - "Living the Authentic Life"

April 2003 Column - "Rising Above the Battleground"

March  2003 Column - "Healing Through Your Relationships"

February 2003 Column - "Are You Going with the Flow?"

January 2003 Column - "Living the Soulful Life"

December 2002 Column - "The Power to Change"

November 2002 Column - "Peace Begins at Home"

October 2002 Column - "Spiraling to Higher Ground"

September 2002 Column - "Cradled in Nature's Arms"

August 2002 Column - "Recovering Your Soul"


Laura V. Hyde
Laura Grace
is Co-founder of Infinite Wisdom, an organization dedicated to the highest human capacity, and a national author and speaker. She is also host of the TV show "Relationship Wisdom." As a regular contributor for publications across the U.S. and Canada, Laura writes about human awareness and spiritual growth. Laura is the author of the widely acclaimed books The Intimate Soul and Gifts of the Soul, and the creator and teacher of various programs including the Self-Mastery Program, The Art of Compassionate Forgiveness, Wonderful Women: Reclaiming Our Power, Passion and Purpose, and Cultivating the Intimate Life. Please visit Laura's web site at: www.LauraGrace.net.

As a spiritual counselor, Laura provides assistance in person and by phone. You may contact her for a free brochure at: laura@lauragrace.net.

 

Visit:
www.LauraGrace.net

 

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