Is life is a balance of choices? And I would definitely say yes – In the end, life is a balance of choices. Some of them accepted passively and others taken on with gusto. There are decisions about how to allocate our time, blood sugar levels, energy, attention and other precious resources. Decisions about where to spend money and where to invest it. And then there are the big ones: what to do with our lives?
It takes courage to live well; courage that comes from being clear about what’s important for you in your life – what you stand for — so that you can make better choices more confidently when faced with alternatives as you encounter them in your day-to-day activities.
And even if it is not that easy to choose what time to wake up in the morning or what colour of shirt to wear, different decisions have vastly different implications. How we respond personally and professionally to issues faced by those in our circle of influence is a reflection of who we are and how we answer this question: “What kind of a person do I want to be?”
Of course, life is often messy and complex. We face many trade-offs as we make choices and try our best to navigate through them towards what’s best for us. Besides, sometimes things happen that are out of control and beyond our power, such as getting the flu. But what we can control is our own responses — and that’s where the art of living comes in.
So, Is Life is a balance of choices?
Living well is a matter of intentionality, of making choices that reflect our values and priorities, and adjusting them when necessary as we go along. So, being clear about what matters to you — what’s truly important to you — is the first step. And letting people know as well.
For example, I value my time with my family above everything else — they are top priority. So when I plan my schedule I make sure to have time for them before anything else. I refuse to go on holiday with more than three days unless the event lasts for at least seven days! I choose to be with the people I love and care about over anything else.
Of course, there are other considerations as well. Just because my family comes first does not necessarily mean that everything else is unimportant or that it can be put off until later.
In life, we have to ask ourselves what is truly important to us and then act in ways that emphasise those values. The choices we make are a reflection of how we want our lives to be and how we want others — including our children — to see us. They’re also a statement of who we are, which is why it’s so important for us to talk about them with others.
Sometimes, the best way to talk about a choice or a decision is to journal or write in a diary. For example, if I am ever faced with making choices about an important issue like a career move or a future savings decision – I can write down my thoughts and feelings in my journal so that I don’t forget them later. There are many journals that store data online that way I do not have to carry the journal physically with me.
By keeping a journal or writing it out, we can really explore what matters most to us and what we think is the best strategy for serving that cause. If this doesn’t work, we can always consult with friends and family on how they would make the same choices we are considering.
After all, it’s always good to get an outside opinion about the life choices you are making if you think they are important. Good friends and family members can offer insight, advice, and support to help you get through the tough times.
Conclusion
To live well is one of the most important goals in life. To be able to choose wisely, when we are faced with important choices, and act according to what comes from the deepest part of our being is what really matters. It’s how we live our life that determines whether or not we have lived it well.
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