OUR MOST VALUABLE CURRENCY IS OUR ENERGY
I've always felt that life is a struggle of balance. We have to balance our obligations, our wants, needs, desires, family, friends, work, and relationships. There isn't a manual on how to do this either- even though there are plenty of books and articles dedicated to how we can best balance/manage our lives. I don't believe in some cookie cutter version of how we can achieve balance. Sometimes, we might get it right and feel like all is well and then BAM-life happens and throws a wrench and all of a sudden you can feel off-kilter. In my opinion, that's normal...There are only so many hours in the day available for you to dedicate your time and energy to.
But what we dedicate our time and energy to ultimately says a lot about what we value. More importantly it speaks volumes about how we value ourselves. It might be cliché but the most important relationship you will have IS the one you have with yourself.
So where do we begin?
I think we begin by looking within. I wholeheartedly believe that we have to have a certain degree of selfishness with ourselves. By being selfish with ourselves we get to know ourselves pretty well. This probably goes contrary to what most of us have been taught. The word selfish carries a negative connotation, one that implies that you can't be devoted to yourself without lacking consideration for another. I disagree. A degree of selfishness can lead to discovery. A degree of selfishness can lead one to base decisions on actual feelings rather than clouded judgements.
A degree of selfishness means that we are more than likely to value our time and therefore our energy more. If we value our time and energy we are likely to choose professions that fulfill/enrich us. Value your time and energy and you will take the time to nurture your soul. Value your time and energy and you will sustain and work on friendships/relationships that empower and add value to your life. Value your time and energy and you will care about what goes into your body. Value your time and energy and you will be better apt to find balance day in and day out. Value your time and energy and you will be more conscious and aware of the time and energy of others.
We won't always feel like everything is in order but the thing about energy is that while it can be depleted it can also be replenished. When I need to re-center myself/find balance...I go back to the things that I like. I go back to dedicating my time, my energy to that which fulfills and enriches so that I can live with minimal regret in all aspects of my life. I go inward.
What fulfills and enriches is always evolving, which I think is important to note. Personally, what I dedicated my energy to when I was in my early 20's is much different than what I dedicate my time and energy to now. And thus what I valued in my 20's is a lot different than what I value now in my late 30's. I presume that as I continue to age that will still remain true.
As long as we have time we will have energy...and so long as we have both those things we are able...we are alive.
So what are you dedicating your energy and time to? How are you spending your days?
*An article that I enjoyed reading and have printed in my office, which tackles this idea of energy is titled: Manage Your Energy Not Your Time, was published in The Harvard Business Review and inspired me to write this.*
