Life Balance
There is a saying "Winners owe their success to luck. Just ask any loser." But too often, winners are measured by material wealth. True winners have balance and peace regardless of wealth. There are a number of things we can do to achieve those things.

• Identify worthy short and long term goals and put them in writing. Worthy goals are those that improve your character as well as lifestyle. Avoid money centered goals. "The love of money is the root of all evil." Goals should be specific, measurable and compatible with where you want to be.
• Write a To Do List every day and be specific, like "Do report spreadsheet", rather than "Work on report". Or "Take kids to park" rather than "Spend quality time with kids".
• Prioritizing is essential. Separate your To Do List into A, B and C priorities. "A" items are important to long term success, "B" are housekeeping tasks and "C" those things that would be nice to do if you get the time. Begin with the "A" List and check off items as you complete them to foster a sense of accomplishment.
• Use only one calendar/planner to keep track of both business and personal issues. Both are part of a balanced life.
• When told "Call me next week and we'll book an appointment" respond, "Let's book it now." It will save time.
• Block out adequate time for major tasks. Make an appointment with yourself and write it in your planner. Then you can honestly say "Sorry, I have an appointment then. How about (fill in an alternative date and time)?"
• Don't jam your day with activities. Leave time for reflection and rest.
• Review progress on short and long term goals regularly. Change course if conditions dictate.

Without balance, you’re headed for a fall. Some have been off balance for so long it’s tough to know where to start. Just say "No" until balance returns. You’ll know it when you feel it. Most importantly, make ample time for family, friends, recreational, social and spiritual activities.    BACK

Cowboy Wisdom
A Texas cowboy was herding his cows in a remote pasture when a GM sedan advanced out of a cloud of dust. The driver leans out the window and asks the cowboy, "If I tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd, will you give me a calf?"

The cowboy looks at the man, then looks at his peacefully grazing herd and calmly answers, "Sure, Why not?"

The man parks his car, whips out his iBook, connects it to his cell phone and surfs to NASA's homepage. His GPS provides a location for a NASA satellite that scans the area into an ultra high resolution digital photo. He downloads a photo file into his Adobe Photoshop software and prints out a full-color photo on his portable laser jet printer. He turns to the cowboy and says, "You have exactly 1,586 cows and calves."

"That's right. Well, I guess you can take one of my calves," says the cowboy. He watches the young man select one of the animals and looks on amused as the young man stuffs it into the trunk of his car.

Then the cowboy says to the man, "Hey, if I can tell you exactly what your business is, will you give me back my animal?"

The man says, "Okay, why not?"

"You're from the federal government" says the cowboy.

"Wow! That's correct, but how did you guess that?"

Joseph was off work for weeks because the government made him travel to a distant town to fill out some stupid registration papers. And you can bet the old biddies in Nazareth hounded Mary about her pregnancy. Have you ever been called "slut"?

Can you imagine taking a four day donkey ride to Bethlehem at full term? Of course, if Mary didn't want to ride, she could always walk...or waddle. Think about a camping trip with winter winds whistling through your tent. Or do you have a tent?

How about being in labor in a dirty cattle barn? One whiff was all Mary needed. And then, in the middle of the night after a grueling labor, there's people banging on the door.

Why, of all things, did God let His own Son be born under those conditions? Was God mad at Mary and Joseph? Of course not. Maybe God allowed the stable so we could see His glory backlit amidst life's humbling experiences.

Life does have its downside, its reversals, its annoyances. And where is God when we despair? He was with Mary and Joseph every moment, working out His plan, just as He is with you and me right now.

I guess Christmas reminds us look to beyond our aggravations. God is doing something. You know, if we'll lift our eyes above Bethlehem's hovels for a moment, we might even catch a glimpse of the Christmas star.      By Ralph F. Wilson    BACK

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened. Everything was lost. He was stung with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.

Remember the next time your life is ablaze and out of control. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.  BACK

Pop Quiz
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier? The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia ." Charles Schultz    BACK

Lighten Your Load
A lecturer was explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranged from 8 to 16 ounces.

The lecturer replied, "The weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, no problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance."

"In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes. And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later we won't be able to carry on."

"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow."

"Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment. Relax and pick them up later after you've rested. Life is short. Enjoy it!"   BACK