Create balance in your life by listening to your inner signals

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Since this is such a busy time of year for many of us, I decided to write a column about balance.

The following is an excerpt from my book, “Pathfinding: Seven Principles for Positive Living.”

Creating balance is the way to harmony. Balance is a struggle for all of us. But in order to find balance, we must be in touch with our own needs. You can check in with yourself every day to see where you are. Are you tired? Do your muscles ache? Are you angry? Are you overloaded with information? Do you need a kind word, reassurance or a hug? These are all signals to slow down, and take time for yourself.

We are so much more effective when we pay attention, take care of what’s in the way, pause, and continue on. A simple walk outside, just breathing, talking to a friend for assurance, giving your loved ones a hug, having a sit down meal instead of eating on the run, or going to a place where you can inhale the beauty of nature may be all you need to find balance.

Balance requires listening to our inner signals as this story illustrates:

A man and woman were strolling along a crowded sidewalk in a downtown business area. Suddenly one of them exclaimed, “Did you hear that meow?” 

They both stopped and listened intently. “There it is again. Didn’t you hear it?”   asked the one who heard the kitten a second time. “How can you hear that kitten’s meow in this frenzied city?” The companion, who was a veterinarian-turned-animal-rights-advocate, smiled but did not explain. She simply took a quarter out of her purse and dropped it on the sidewalk, causing a dozen people to look around for the loose change. “We hear,” she said, “what we listen for.” 

Listen for the things that bring joy and inner peace, and you’ll have joyous experiences. Step out on faith, and you’ll get faith-lifts wherever you go. According to Rabbi David Cooper, “In Judaism, the Kabalistic idea that creation is taking place in each and every moment brings an acute sensitivity to everything … an entirely new perspective that sees things as they are.”

PATRICIA RASKIN, president of Raskin Resources Productions Inc., is an award-winning radio producer and Rhode Island business owner. She is the host of “The Patricia Raskin Show,” a radio and podcast coach, and a board member of Temple Emanu-El, in Providence.