15: Staying Balanced and Remembering the Need for Rest

What makes you happy? Undoubtedly, there would be numerous and varied answers to this question. Aristotle said, “One swallow does not make a summer, neither does one fine day; similarly, one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy.” Let’s talk about what it means to be happy.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• After big weekend celebrations for my daughter’s graduation and birthday, I am exhausted!
• Rest and balance are essential, which is one of the themes of Aristotle’s work, the Nicomachean Ethics, from which the above quote is taken
• Everyone wants to be happy, but the extremes of life bring much unhappiness
• Being kind to your body with rest brings happiness
• Times of insane busy-ness have to be balanced with times of rest
• It’s OK to plan in times for rest and relaxation
• Aristotle advocated principles of moderation and balance, not pushing too far in either direction
• What are the things and who are the people who take your energy from you? (these might be “EGR” people—”extra grace required”)
• Identify the activities that cost you the most energy each day: “What you give your energy to, you’re giving your life to.”
• Are you pursuing happiness? (which is not necessarily the same as FUN)
• This summer, can you allow the time to slow down?  “Live life. Don’t just push through it like a machine.”