By Nancy Stoops

Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Some of us work really hard.  Some of us play really hard.  I believe it’s finding the balance between the two that gives us a good life.  Finding the balance is what makes us happy and helps us discover how wonderful life can be.

Many people are very good at working hard so they can have a good life, but what if we never take the time to enjoy it all?  I think people are sometimes afraid that if they slow down to enjoy it all, maybe they will lose what they have built for themselves.

I think if we don’t slow down and play and enjoy it all, we will burn out and then maybe lose it all.  I think the secret is finding that balance between work and play.

I think it’s very hard as an adult to find and maintain that balance, when our society tells us we must always keep working harder if we want the good life.  If we lived in Europe, we would get a different message about how important it is to enjoy our lives and to balance work and play.  I think we could learn a lot from the way the Europeans live their lives.

All I know is that many of us seem to always be stressed out because all we do is work, and I think it’s so very important to take some time out to enjoy all that we work for.  If we don’t take time, then what are we really working for?  I know things are expensive and our world is hard, but we deserve to enjoy our journey called life.

So take some time to smell the roses, walk on the beach, feel the breeze on your face, and just enjoy your life.

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T. Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients. Nancy is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members. She runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger. For more information about any of these services, feel free to contact Nancy at (909) 229-0727; or you may e-mail her at stoopsshecter@earthlink.net. You may purchase Nancy’s books, Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.