Desire, Growth and Balance in Life

By Damian Papworth

I have always admired the professional surfers, the way they have dedicated their lives to the surf and really made it work for them. As part of this admiration, “sea-change” has always been on my agenda. My whole career was about doing enough and being clever enough that I could set myself up on the ocean. And here I am, I’ve done it.

So here I am, living on Australia’s Gold Coast, one of the world’s premier surf destinations. I am a mere 500m from the surf. Yes, here I am… sitting at this computer writing another article. “Why?” I ask myself. I’ve made it, I am here. Why am I not out in the water paddling with the dolphins? I have not been for a surf all week and it is already Thursday.

I know the answer, sometimes I just do not like to admit it to myself, but life is about balance. I need to do everything to bring the level of variety into my life that will keep me sane. Just as 15 hour days in the office would drive me mental, so would 15 hours in the surf everyday. Sure, I would become a damn good surfer, but the cost would be my love for the ocean and my sanity.

Most of us humans strive to be a little bit better tomorrow than what we are today. That is what it is all about, learning and growing. I think intellect plays a big part in this. I think intellect is part of our overall make up and needs to be exercised like everything else. That is why I am writing this article, I’m growing as an intellectual.

Tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow I will go for a surf. That will satisfy a hunger of a different kind.

Emotions are an important part of us too and should be exercised like our intellect. I find the best place to do this is in the development of relationships. My first child, a daughter, taught me so much about myself in this regard. As a parent, nothing is sacred. You need to be open to giving away everything, including ideas and opinions. It is in this selfless giving that I mature emotionally.

Have you every seen someone hungry for emotional growth? I have. It manifests as a search for a boundary which is enforced. The greater the hunger, the further the person pushes. Only when they give up their push in favor of someone else’s space do they grow.

We are spiritual beings too, this is one of the elements of being human that so many people neglect. When you neglect your spiritual self, you start to look for more meaning in life. This feeling is the hunger for spiritual exercise. It is how it manifests. I find the introspection I enjoy in the surf is enough to satisfy this for me. It is like a meditation.

As humans we strive to learn and improve, but to do so in balance. Our intellect, emotions, physical attributes and spirit all need development. Ignoring any of these needs creates a specific hunger which if not satisfied, creates unhappiness. Learn to recognize your hungers for what they are. Taking action on these hungers will lead to a happier life. Good luck

Damian Papworth, a recent dad, has developed a recent perspective on life and happiness. Recently he researched baby high chairs. He found travel high chairs really assisted his family live a robust lifestyle.. Free reprint available from: Desire, Growth and Balance in Life.

categories: work life balance,personal development,happiness,self improvement,education,society,people,career,home,family,recreation

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