Balance in life

"In life; pain is inevitable, suffering is optional," Rev. Peggy Bassett.

A familiar quote.  Sometimes life throws at us some events in which it is hard not to suffer.  Part of choosing not to suffer, for me, is to make sure I am living a balanced life.  The Summer Solstice yesterday is a good reminder for me of balance.  The day in the northern hemisphere where we enjoy the longest daylight.  What does balance in life mean?  For me it means days including time for prayer, meditation, exercise, fun, relaxation, and contribution.  I begin to feel too stressed when contribution takes over too much of the day.  Yesterday was a good example of a balanced day:  some time in prayer and exercise, readying activities for out-of-town family arriving, taking dessert to a gathering and sharing it with friends, having connecting and real conversations with friends, a good evening meal with Dwane and a thoughtful movie to watch.  Does a balanced life help you to not suffer with the painful events of life?  It is one good technique.  That, and not applying judgment toward events and people.  A very high order, but very helpful when I can manage to allow things to unfold, without applying negative or positive judgment.  Together, let us avoid suffering. Let us really believe that suffering is an option we can choose to avoid.