Life really is like a butterfly. The harder you try to catch anything or do anything in life, the more elusive it becomes. Whereas if you turn your attention to the many areas that make up your life, giving each it’s due focus, that butterfly will come and land softly on your shoulder – and that which you were putting all your effort into will suddenly, gently work out or get done – surprisingly with a little less attention or effort.
Life is also a bell curve. It’s meant to be lived optimally at the very top of the curve – in balance, everything in moderation – relationships, food, work, play, etc. Take anything in your life and in your mind shift it first to one extreme of the curve, then the other, and imagine what would happen to you if that’s where you spent all your time and energy. That’s called getting very sick or depressed. Living life in the extremes puts too much pressure on certain parts of our mind, body and spirit, and eventually something has to give. The body gets physical ailments. The mind gets depressed and confused. The spirit begins to die.
I have a small company that I hang onto that sells vitamin supplements. (I don’t actually sell any, I just keep the distribution so I can get the high end product cheaper for myself because I’m not a great salesman) Anyway, when I had to start the company to obtain the distributorship, I had to name it. I thought and thought and then decided to come up with a name that says why I’m taking these supplements in the first place. I was taking them to balance out the nutrition I was missing by poor eating. Hence the name:
In Balance – Way To Live!
(at the time Macy’s – Way to shop was the big thing – lol!)
The butterfly quote below that I came across recently reminded me of my little business and my general philosophy of life. Take nothing to extremes. Everyday give your body some exercise and good food. (I’m writing this while cooling down on the treadmill – exercise – check!) Give your mind challenging work and problem solving. Give your spirit play, meditation, and quiet time. This reduces the slippage off the top of the curve and eases the constant chasing of the butterfly, allowing it to light on your shoulder gently, when you least expect it. Yes, I suppose, as stated in the quote below, that is the pathway to happiness.
And so, as another day goes by, I learn from the butterfly as I play out the simple story in my mind, and….I have written.
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