Balance - Moderation - words to live by. If you can take just a minute or two at the beginning of the day to center yourself before you start the mad dash, life is much richer and more meaningful.

Sometimes it is hard to balance and juggle all our responsibilities.   I think most people are doing the best they can.  At times, when you feel like you don't have enough time you just have to turn it over to the Lord and ask for His help.

I believe it is balance, although that can be difficult to achieve.  This may sound selfish, but I have to make sure I'm doing well to be a good person.  I take care of myself, my family, then my career.  If I'm not happy or felling down, it can have an effect on others and my business.  Someone once said you are what you think.  I try to keep a positive attitude and treat others fairly.  I have overcome a lot of adversity during my life and and have learned not what to do.  One of the best things that someone told me to do was, "Do something nice for someone once a week and don't tell anyone about it."  That keeps me out of myself and doing the next right thing.  Karma has been good for me.

For me, life isn't about what I can get, it's about what I can give.  Sure the harder I work the more money I make, but the more I'm away from my family, the more distant we will become.  I work hard and play hard, but my job is not my life, my family is.

I try and keep work, family, and play in check at all times.  I even schedule meetings with myself once a week to get things accomplished.  My wife and I have date nights, and my daughter and I do as well....and we all make time to spend together.

I have seen so many people with a lot of money and be miserable.  Sure money is great, but it doesn't solve everything.  To me, success is being happy with what I have and not worrying about what I don't have.

John, that is a good start.  We need to control what we focus on, and allow the garbage to be put aside.

Laura, I agree that is is sometimes hard.  I think we all can do better, but we have to make a conscience effort and not just allow ourselves to be tossed to and fro, like most do.  We have to choose to focus on the Lord, and what he has for us.  We are too easily distracted, and pulled away from the important things in life, to take care of the busy things, things that take allot of time, seem important at the time, but in the long run, didn't do anything for us or others.  Thank you for the post.

Todd, You really thought about this.  Good.  We have to be able to find joy in all situations.  Being happy is just a feeling that can change in an instant, with circumstances.  But, true joy, is a state of mind and being.  It comes from getting our minds and hearts off of us, and focusing on others and looking up to God.  We cannot find true joy by looking outward or even inward, but by submitting ourselves to God and His will, we will find true joy and peace.  I didn't want this to become a religious forum, but I do want us all to be able to talk freely and share what helps us individually. 

I agree that there is more joy in giving, than receiving.  I love to see the smiles on others faces, when we do something nice and unexpected for them.  I love the joy of helping others, that have no idea who helped.  Date nights are a great idea.  Time with family and others, is very important.  Thank you for the words.  Be blessed.

Earl,

If God is not at the center of our lives, thenthe life here and the life after has no meaning at all.

Congratulations this post is now Walking By Faith In The Rain! of Active Rain.

It is finding time for regenerating myself.  Working, children, husband, chores, family, shopping, very little "ME" time alone with God.  I find myself driving in the car, doing most of this.  But as Ecclesiastes says, There is a time for everything.  Thank you for blogging and commenting on my blog. Lu

This is a worthy post about what is MOST importnat in life.......

It is NOW a featiured post in,"Christianity and Real Estate"

AMEN!!

=-)

Mike, sorry it has taken me so long to write back, but I haven't been on here all the much. I agree with you 100%  AMEN!!!

Lu, That is right.God bless.

Alex, thank you, my brother and friend.  Take care and go with God.

Good morning Earl....what a wonderful post this morning....because the reason why, is that ive been feeling a lot like that myself lately and was thinking about writing something very similar. .....you are right in saying Money is not the answer to happiness..yes, it IS ABSOLUEY necessary to HAVE it, and you are also right.....it should not be your main focus ----GOD should be------yet when the hustle and bustle of busy family life, busy work life, busy social life has got you going a million miles an hour and i (or anyone else) start feeling "discouraged", or "depressed" or "unhappy" i tend to wonder why.........and then i go downward for a little bit and I remember i havent been putting the Lord first in my life......shame on me.......

Im at a "empty nest " stage in my life and im only 36....i feel young yet and really want to go foward with my dreams and goals......I feel depressed because i wasnt finacially able to put away money for a rainy day.......I was proudly and happily raising my two wonderful children :)

Now that they are primarily on their own, Im feeling like a spinning top........No, i have no money to speak of, but I am surrounded by my small community that i wouldnt trade for the world (unless i HAVE to leave  the islands so that i can make a living) WE know each other..each other's faults, each others' lives, traumas, happy moments, ...we dont necessarily spend time in their living rooms every day, but we certainly care for one another.......I am happy in that....and i am happy that i raised happy condifent children.....thats what i wanted to do......and now like i said, i feel like a spinning top and need to keep my mind focused on the Lord.....so that i dont go insane  :)))))) i have so many ideas and goals now....i dont know where these ideas came from.....all of a sudden i have plans and my personal goals......wheewwwwww......well......with the Lords help, He will guide me on the path of His making.....but in the meantime.......im still spinning :)))))

p.s....i am also happy and very glad to belong to this wondeful community of Active Rain....this "christianity and real estate" group and "my name is cheryl group" has really inspired me and made me feel very happy..... sharing their personal stories and make me feel like part of the family....

Great post Earl. Another reason to place our faith in Him. God Bless

Lisa, thank you for the post.  I really appreciate the heartfelt comment.  We have one more at home.  He is 22.  It is so hard for kids to afford to get out on there own today.  I was out at 18, and had my own place.  So we are almost empty nesters.   We are a little older than you, though.  lol  THere is no reason not to move forward in life, and find out what you are really about, and why you have certain dreams.  YOu will never know, unless you step out.  Be blessed today.

Nick, YOu are so right, my brother.  God bless.