When I think of balance, I think of the Scales of Justice. Sometimes, those scales are not even; too much may be weighted on one side. I suppose that's what life is like. We do too much, work too long and too hard and we feel out of balance. There's always the desire to put something on the side marked "Time for Me," but, we need to be alert enough to know when we're at that point. Do you know when you're working too hard, or putting in too many hours? And if you think you do know, what are you doing to resolve it?

Many of us love to be busy and productive. There's a "rush" that comes with working under the wire, dashing from place to place, packing appointments one against another, sitting at computers 'til midnight and then starting the whole process over again the next morning. I know that routine. I've been there and it is addictive. According to Ron Burke, of York University, workaholism is a major problem in our society. It is responsible for the break up of marriages, and causes physical and mental problems. The casualties are our health, families, friendships and our enjoyment of life. Yet, while many of us know this, we still can't seem to stop - or feel that we can't. Perhaps we just don't know how to stop.

Practice Mindfulness. One simple way of getting off the merry-go-round is to practice mindfulness. It's the opposite of mindlessness, which is going about our daily lives with our minds always residing in the future or the past, but seldom in the present. When we focus on the present moment, it helps us slow down and feel more in control, instead of letting events control us. When we dampen our

Right now, focus on your breathing. For about a minute, notice the air coming into your lungs and going out. Try not to think of anything else but your breathing. Give yourself permission to just be, to do nothing, just for a moment. This is a great place to start. Try to do this a few times a day - just focus on your breathing. If you like, you can take a slightly deeper and slower breath to enhance the exercise. According to Herbert Benson in his book The Relaxation Response, deep breathing practiced daily can reduce stress, insomnia, headaches and cholesterol.

Mindfulness, discussed in the book, Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn, also entails making a concentrated effort to really notice what's around us and allowing those things to have an impact on us. When you're driving home, can you notice a beautiful sunset and feel its beauty? If you see a laughing child, or a brightly painted room, do you to really see it and feel the moment? Savour the delicious taste of an apple! Linger over a piece of chocolate! It's the little things that count in life and we need to make the most of them. We don't land big contracts or win awards every day, but we still can make our days (our lives) special.

I challenge you to try these simple techniques of focusing more on the moments. It can help in slowing us down and reduce feelings of being overwhelmed. See if this can make a difference for you in your life. Let me know if it does. I wish you peace, balance and contentment.