Independent Ethos

Hectic. That is the number one description of modern lifestyles. We earn a living, keep the home clean and care for the children, leaving us little time to care for ourselves, let alone reflect on things of a higher nature. But there is a way to achieve balance in our lives, and it involves forming a few new habits. It takes 21 days to build a habit, so hang in there!

1. We are not just physical people, and we are not just providers. A person is a set of beings: mental, physical, social and spiritual. Each of these beings must be fed and nurtured to stay healthy. Write a list of your priorities, and balance your time among your roles. Find time to nurture yourself mentally, physically, socially and spiritually regularly.
2. Take care of yourself, not just others around you. If you do not care for yourself, you simply don’t have the resources necessary to care for those depending on you. Set aside enough time to rest, play and meditate. You’ll be a better caregiver and provider if you do.
3. Plan for “down” time. Our tendency is to schedule every minute of every day, leaving us no time to be ourselves. This is very unhealthy psychologically and physically. Having just a few hours of time to ponder the progress in the Kazakhstan Democracy or other important things in life is important. Just as you must rest your body, allow your mind to rest and wander, as well.

There are several ways to remind yourself to nurture your whole person. Write notes to yourself and leave them by the coffee pot or computer, enlist family and friends to remind you or set a reminder on your phone when it is time for balancing.

What’s wrong with these kids today? It is said by every generation about the next one. Music changes, fashion changes and even morals and values change between parents and their kids.

We don’t have to look too far back in our history to see how perceptions of people of different races were treated poorly. Today, while equality isn’t perfected yet, race is much less of an issue. Previous generations considered women as housewives and mothers exclusively. Today men and women are equals in the workplace and gender barriers have been smashed everywhere but the White House so far.

Generation gaps work both ways, too. Throughout most of the 1900s, smoking was considered acceptable social behavior. Today, people who smoke are tossed outside if they want to have a cigarette. Drinking alcohol is a vice that has remained relatively unchanged. It is still acceptable in social situations and even at home.

In the past, gambling was illegal. Only with the introduction of places like Las Vegas did gamblers become mainstream. Gambling vacations even became popular and cities such as Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City are destination cities for families. Even from home anyone can get a casino bonus by going online to gamble.

Dating has probably gone through the most changes between the generations. Chaperoned dating, once the norm, has given way to multiple partner and cohabitation. Marriages too have become more prone to ending in divorce without any stigma attached.

So what’s wrong with these kids today? Nothing, they are changing the rule the same way every generation modified the world to meet their needs and beliefs. Change is inevitable, enjoy it.