Quips and Tips for Spiritual Seekers

If we truly want to create life balance, we need to be doing less and practice being more. In the society where I live the majority of people are busy doing, doing, doing and have a hard time simply being, relaxing and going with the flow. There’s an underlying pressure to perform, produce and be perfect at all times. It’s no wonder stress, anxiety and depression continue to be on the rise.

“Your soul doesn’t care what you do for a living – and when your life is over, neither will you. Your soul cares only about what you’re being while you’re doing whatever you’re doing,” says author, Neale Donald Walsch.

What are you being while you’re working, doing chores and other daily tasks? Are you rushed, in effort, speeding through your day like a race car driver? Or are you peaceful, relaxed and savoring each activity, each encounter and each moment of the day?

To learn more about creating life balance, read Wayne Dyer’s book, Being In Balance: 9 Principles for Creating Habits to Match Your Desires. And to explore ways of doing less and being more, read on.

Practice Doing Less

The first reaction that comes to many people’s minds when they think of doing less is, “No way, I’ll get behind and have that much more to do tomorrow!” And for those addicted to doing, accomplishing and being productive that’s probably true. If you’re a doer who gives a 150% to your work, family and friends, there’s a lot of pressure for you to perform. You most likely receive a high dose of self-esteem from this, but at what cost? Is burn out, illness and exhaustion worth it?

If you want to create a balanced life, it’s important to set priorities that include your own needs, health and pleasure. Saying yes to you may involve saying no to others. Make a list of your all the tasks you perform at work, home, in your community and for friends on one side a piece of paper. On the other side, make a list of all the things you do for yourself such as exercise, rest, hobbies, pampering and so on. Is it balanced? If not, it’s time to do less for others and start doing more for you.

For some, doing less means doing nothing. Taking time to relax, rest and lounge. For others, doing less means not having an agenda - following inner nudges, listening to what the body needs, being in the moment.

Spend Time Being

As a spiritual being you are whole and complete; you don’t need to do anything to prove yourself or please others. As you touch into this truth, you’ll relax into your natural rhythm in life. You’ll move at a pace that suits you instead of trying to keep up with external demands. Try the following suggestions as a way to balance being with doing.

Give yourself moments throughout the day to stop doing and simply be. Let go of your work, project or activity for a moment and take a breath. Notice your surroundings. Feel the sensations in your body. Center within and connect to your heart and soul.

Give your mind a break by letting go of thoughts. Go for a walk and focus on the environment. Use all of your senses to connect with your surroundings. If thoughts arise, let them go and focus on what you see, feel your feet touching the ground, smell the fresh air, feel the breeze against your face.

Give your body a rest. Pause what you are doing and check in with your body. What does it need? Does it need to recline, sleep, stretch, eat, or move? So often we override our body with busy activity. Even mental activity can be tiring for the body. Let your body relax and just be.

Honor your own pace. Discover what your natural pace is for physical and mental activity. If you feel strained or in effort you’re working too fast or too hard. People are most productive when they honor their own pace.

Follow your natural rhythm. Are you most alert and active in the morning, afternoon or evening? What times of the day is your mind and body naturally tired? Spend time doing during your alert times and practice being at the other times. This will support you to create life balance.

Make time for silence, meditation and prayer. Meditation and prayer ease stress and calm the mind. Turning inward and settling into stillness and silence connects you to your very being. Even a quick, easy meditation once a day will support you to bring the state of being into your doing.

Our life comes into balance when we infuse doing with being; when we bring a spiritual state of ease, joy and freedom into our daily activities.

Do you have any questions or suggestions on how to create life balance by doing less and being more? Please comment below.