A little of this, a little of that

We all know that in this life, it can't all be fun and it can't all be serious. We all need a little of this and a little of that to live life to the fullest. Finding the right balance is the key, and finding it is learned with experience. The great news is that this lesson doesn't have to come entirely from your experience—you can and should listen to and learn from those who have gone before you.

Older people have at least one thing going for them: experience. They have an aura that commands respect. Respect that doesn't come from just the gray hair on their head but from the look in their eyes. The knowing look that says "I know what I am talking about." And in most cases, they really do. They may not know how to use modern-day technology or how to navigate their way around the block with GPS, but they do have the knowledge that comes from experience.

Have you ever looked an elderly person in the eye?  Sometimes they look distant, lost in thought. The layers of skin around them are mostly sagged and wrinkled. The eyes may be dim or almost shut. But if you take the time to look back at the eyes looking at you, you'll see wisdom way beyond your years. 

It was while looking into such eyes that I learned a life lesson which has anchored me for many of my own years. "Finding the sweet middle spot is the key," he said to me with a slight smile.

Finding the right balance in life is the key to maintaining your joy. When the good days come, remember to enjoy the moment. And when the sad days linger, remember that they won't last forever. Every twist and turn in life makes you who you are today and what you will become in the future. You can't have it all in one swoop; it takes a little of this and a little of that to create your life's story. So learn to balance the highs and lows. It will all come together in the end to reveal a beautiful mosaic that sums up the masterpiece you have lived through.

"To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven." 

Ecclesiastes 3:1