“God has given us two hands – one to receive with and the other to give with.  We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing.” – Billy Graham

This quote by Billy Graham is a great reminder that we are not meant to just take in this life, but are meant to share as well.  I have been guilty of giving too much at times and not taking anything for myself. 

Life is about balance, you must have it to be healthy and feel good in general, but it’s vital to feel good about yourself.  No one can give all the time without taking the time to recharge, revitalize and fill your spiritual, physical and mental resources. 

If you don’t take the time to rest, you will quickly start to feel tired, less like running that marathon, and even weak.  It’s the same with our spiritual side – if you don’t take the time to seek solitude, pray, meditate or find your inner peace you will start to feel stress and strain more until you begin to just feel emotionally and spiritually drained.

Mental recharging is just as important!  I start to feel down if I am not stretching myself by reading or learning something new.  Seeking knowledge is more than just a hobby with me; it’s a way of life.  I have a great need to keep exercising my mind and learning new perspectives, problem solving skills and new technology. 

These are just three of the aspects of a balanced life, but I seem to have to remind myself now and then that I’ve let one thing slip a little and it’s time to take a moment to recharge that area.  You would think since we were designed for balance that it would all come naturally, but it doesn’t, that’s why it’s important to stay aware of what’s going on in our personal world. 

Interesting how it’s all set up too that we must use the balance of giving and receiving in each of these areas.  We were designed to take in knowledge, then share what we’ve learned with others, to take in spiritual experiences, and share those experiences with others who are also seeking and needing to be refreshed.  We were designed to test our limits physically, to find others along a similar path for the journey, but also to help those who need help along the way.

Take the time to be thankful for living today and then see where you are in this balancing act.  We all benefit by helping each other along the way and I’d love to hear from you!

 Cherry Coley ©