The Eclectic Chalkboard

IF IT TAKES 10,000 HOURS TO BECOME AN EXPERT, HOW MANY HOURS DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME HAPPY …

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dawnzy/448960630/sizes/m/

She walked up to our table carrying three full plates of food on one arm and two plates of food on her other arm. She gently placed the first plate down and with a deft move that looked more magic than physics, slid, grabbed and placed the second plate on our table. With her free hand she quickly and gently placed the other three plates at our table.

She didn’t sweat. She didn’t struggle. She didn’t shake. But she did do it all with a smile and pleasant personality.

I marveled at her skill and told her so. I asked her how she did it.

“Balance and practice,” she said rather cheerily. “Nothing more than balance and practice.”

I thought a lot about what she said over the past few days. And how it so easily applies to those who seem to be generally happy and successful.

I know a lot of people who are very successful in their professions or avocations, but are miserable in their personal lives. They practice well those work and hobby things but are out of balance with their family and individual lives.

I also know a lot of people who seem happy with their personal choices, but are not doing so well in their careers. They make good decisions regarding balancing things in their lives, but do not practice much the things that would make them standouts in their field.

Ah, but those who seem happiest and most successful seem to have mastered the art of balance and practice. An art I intend to pursue more myself.