E-Newsletter:
Work-Life Balance (12/07)

As you may have noticed, the Chicago Healing Studio monthly newsletter missed a couple of months. Where has it been? Well, it's been all put together inside my head, but I was busy working on an office supply catalog in a far-away land called Schaumburg. Between the catalog project and the commute, I couldn't find the time to type it out. I was facing a work-life balance problem. As with all my tough problems, I turned to the experts for solutions. I googled it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work-life_balance
Wikipedia provides a very thorough investigation of the evolution of work-life balance. But it presents a very dark, disturbing view: since the dawn of the industrial revolution workers have fought hard for limited work hours and days off, and now by bowing under the pressure of globalization and consumerism, we're undoing that progress. I'm just trying to stay on top of things. Is that so wrong?

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/work-life-balance/WL00056
The Mayo Clinic says that is okay, as long as I don't put in long hours all the time. Then they provide a long list of ways to find balance. Keep a log of everything I do during the week, prioritize them and cut the unimportant ones. Wait, my problem is I don't have time for everything. How am I supposed to make time for keeping a log?

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/87/balance-1.html
Then finally I found the answer I needed. This Fast Company article titled "Balance is Bunk" explains that balance is a long-term goal, not a day-to-day necessity. When our jobs demand more of us, we can focus our energy there and let other things slide. When our families need us, we can make them our priority and put work on the back burner. And if what we're doing makes us happy, then balance doesn't matter at all.

Now my work project is over, and with the holidays approaching this is a perfect time to focus on family and friends again. It's also a good time to set some goals for the new year (more biking, more organic foods, maybe that Reiki Master class finally) while I wait for my next work assignment. Maybe this one will make me happy, so that balance doesn't matter.

Doing Reiki makes Erik happy, even though it means working evenings and weekends. Call him at 312-504-7693 to schedule your Reiki session. A Certified Usui Reiki Master and Instructor, Erik provides Reiki healing sessions and classes at affordable rates at 963 W 35th Pl or at your home or office.

Anna Schibrowsky
Chicago Healing Studio