The opportunities that life holds for each of us are amazing, and how we navigate this potential can be daunting at times. The ways we create the right equation for our lives matters and will result in a different kind of equation for each of us.
For example as I think about the years ahead, I know the following about my life equation:
For example as I think about the years ahead, I know the following about my life equation:
- Money is limited due to college costs and other bills and responsibilities
- The community is rich with resources and opportunity for development, recreation, and meaningful effort
- Our jobs require substantial time and commitment, and we're fortunate to have jobs we enjoy
- We're committed to our family members and friends and want to make time for them
So what does one do with those parameters in order to live a meaningful, enjoyable, and good life?
First, after lots of thought, I've decided to commit my leisure time and family time to all things natural--I want to learn more about my surroundings and use what I learn to teach better. This is a win-win as naturalist study is low cost, healthy, and helpful.
Next, my work as an educator offers me a canvas with which I can be creative and proactive--there's lots to develop, synthesize, and connect there which calls for me to be creative and responsive with positive endeavor.
Our home is a place where family and friends congregate for good times and to help one another--all we have to do here is get rid of the useless items and update/fix as needed. The same goes for our yard.
Mostly my contribution to the community are through my work as an educator, but I will further that work as I can through political activism to support causes that elevate a topnotch education for all children, preserve and protect our natural lands, waterways, and air, provide optimal health care and prevention for all people, and work towards strong, positive global connections to forward the best possible lives for all.
Individually I need to look at the way I live so that my impact is small. I can continue to work at improving my habits in this regard.
Pleasure in addition to my times with family and friends and naturalist activities will include some travel, great movies, awesome music, good cooking, and perhaps some art as well.
Everyone's life calls them to find a balance that speaks to them, a balance that improves their life as well as improving the lives of those in their community and the world. What does your balance look like? How did you arrive at that equation? I'm curious.