Balance

I coached basketball for 15 years, then provided fitness training for athletes and general clients for another two. In those years, I came to see that balance is one of the most crucial, and under-emphasized, skills a performance athlete can develop. Some of the world's most elite athletes are balanced off the charts, and looking back, I can say that the best athletes I coached had exceptional balance.

Balance is a crucial element in all of our lives, and can be applied in many areas. In an exercise or training program, we want the physical attribute of balance that allows us to move more gracefully and efficiently, but we also want balance in the sense of implementing various types of exercises to promote strength, cardiovascular health, flexibility, and so on. This can be tough to do, as we like doing the things we are best at and are somewhat hesitant to implement new exercises. But the benefits of a balanced approach--from both a health and enjoyment standpoint--are worth the effort.

In addition to our exercise regimen, we have all heard the benefits of eating a balanced diet. A good goal at each meal is to include servings of the foods we need: lean protein, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and a limited amount of complex carbohydrates. Again, eating balanced meals takes some effort and planning but will improve health and performance dramatically.

And finally, we need a balanced spiritual life to grow in our faith. The Christian life involves many things, including prayer, meditation, repentance, fellowship, fasting, and service to others. Spending time in any one of these can bear fruit, but we are called to spend time in all of them from time to time. I can say with absolute certainty that a balanced life of faith takes work and focus.

Having a balanced life sounds easy and basic, but most of us would find that we are lacking in some areas if we examine ourselves closely and honestly. The good news is that just as we may have lost that balance in some areas, we can get it back with a little work.

Today's challenge: Look at an area of your life that you know is out of balance. Take a moment today to introduce one practice or activity that will bring a sense of balance to that area.