Balance in life is a delicate and delicious lie.
Instead, integrate your life through your purpose.

      Balance in life is a delicate and delicious lie often taught and sought, yet neither attainable nor sustainable. This idol of an “ideal life” impoverishes more well-intended, diligent, and hard-working people than most any other “self-help” notion I come across.

      Balance seems so good and positive. Regardless of how noble a false measure sounds; it remains false. The constant battle for balance leads to burnout, discouragement, and a sense of failure. Balance is the perfect ally of a post-modern society where even Atlas has shrugged. It fuels the narcissistic notion of a meaningful struggle in a culture of self-determinism and self-help. Balance may well be the devil’s newest, most clever, and economical slight-of-hand illusion distracting us from what matters the most. He doesn’t even need an apple to lure us into a broken belief of “You can have it all.”

      Consider instead what your life would be like if it were an integrated life. There’s God centeredness, alignment, and synergy, but not necessarily balance! When God calls, he doesn’t promise balance.

      This begs the question: what is the point of integration? Your purpose is the point of integration because it is your identity in Christ. Place the Savior in the center of your life so He can radiate through your unique being at home, work, family, health, recreation, finances, and more. That’s being on-purpose!
      Embrace the gift of Integration. Merry Christmas!

Kevin W. McCarthy is based in Winter Park, FL. He is the author of The On-Purpose Person and The On-Purpose Business. Visit his web site: www.on-purpose.com or call 407.657.6000. He also celebrates his birthday this month on Christmas Day!