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What does it mean to live a balanced life? Are there any famous people who you can say live a balanced life?
Seriously, we all have our passions, our joys, and our interests, but some people are wondering what a balanced life means. Can you be great at something and live a balanced life? For instance, are people who are in the limelight living balanced lives? They may be famous or interesting, but what makes their life balanced or not? Can you really describe anyone in our world who is famous and living a balanced life? Please provide videos, pictures, and information on why you believe they live a life that's balanced. Be creative! If you provide a video of someone walking on a tight rope, don't just say, "this person lives a balanced life," as that's not what I'm looking for, provide an explanation of why this person's life is balanced, or perceived to be balanced
answers (2)
Creative Commons by Superfantastic 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35423169@N00/50088733 Leading a balanced life does not mean that we are always running as fast as we can trying to finish our work, but it never gets done - so we treat everything and everyone else as objects as we fly by in a mad dash......like the Queen of Spades in Alice in Wonderland and never catch up to actually living our own lives or sharing in the lives of our families or community..... Leading a balanced life seems to refer to leading a life where your personal, family, and work lives are all in balance and neither takes most of your focus than the other but coexist in harmony. Commonly today, there are so many demands in the workplace and from electronic sources used 24/7, that often people find that their work lives overtake their family and personal lives. Although you could say that it is logical to devote this or that percentage to each, in practice our personal lives often get pushed to one side as our work lives dominate. In practice it sounds like it becomes necessary to assign a high priority to maintaining a family life above everything else in order to have any family life left after work demands have started. Balanced life can also mean balanced in terms of health and wellness, nutrition, exercise, personal hobbies, continuing education, professional development, personal development, family leadership roles, community involvement, interpersonal relationships, and so on making up a very complex picture of the individual within their own personal life, family life, workplace and society as a whole. Issues include mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. Further reading is given below.
"Yes we can!" That is the motto Barack Obama emphasized throughout his presidential campaign. Below, there is further information as to how Barack and Michelle Obama can balance their family and public lives together. This can provide inspiration for the rest of us who are not famous, and yet struggle with the same problems for balance in our lives as well.
Barack and Michelle Obama and their Balanced Lives from the official website:
"When people ask Michelle Obama to describe herself, she doesn't hesitate. First and foremost, she is Malia and Sasha's mom.
But before she was a mother - or a wife, lawyer, or public servant - she was Fraser and Marian Robinson's daughter."
"If Barack is honored with the privilege of serving the United States as president, Michelle looks forward to continuing her work on the issues close to her heart-supporting military families, helping working women balance work and family, and encouraging national service.
"My first priority will always be to make sure that our girls are healthy and grounded," she says. "Then I want to help other families get the support they need, not just to survive, but to thrive.
"Policies that support families aren't political issues. They're personal. They're the causes I carry with me every single day."
http://www.barackobama.com/about/michelle_obama/
Michelle Obama's Balancing Act
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's wife on balancing family, career, and life on the campaign trail
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3748839
Lessons from Barack Obama
"The president of the United States of America leads a balanced life. Sounds hard to believe? U.S. President-elect Barack Obama proves such a thing is possible. In the December issue of Men’s Health magazine, the soon-to-be busiest man in the world dispenses valuable advice on balancing one’s career and family, and finding the time to work out somewhere in between."
http://www.summitmedia.com.ph/press-release/594/
From: Barack Obama's Photostream on Flickr: About Barack Obama/Barack Obama
"Of all my life experiences, I am most proud of my wife Michelle and my daughters Malia and Sasha."
http://www.flickr.com/people/barackobamadotcom/
Barack Obama on Education
Democratic nomine for President; Junior Senator (IL)
"Michelle and I are here only because we were given a chance at an education. I will not settle for an America where some kids don’t have that chance. I’ll invest in early childhood education. I’ll recruit an army of new teachers, pay them higher salaries and give them more support. In exchange, I’ll ask for higher standards and more accountability. We’ll keep our promise to every young American--if you commit to serving your community and your country, we will make sure you can afford a college education"
"And I’ve said this all across the country when I talk to parents about education, government has to fulfill its obligations to fund education, but parents have to do their job too. We’ve got to turn off the TV set, we’ve got to put away the video game, and we have to tell our children that session not a passive activity, you have to be actively engaged in it. If we encourage that attitude and our community is enforcing it, I have no doubt we can compete with anybody in the world."
http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Barack_Obama_Education.htm
OPRAH & FRIENDS: Barack Obama
"Gayle also talks to Michelle about the senator's balancing his work on Capitol Hill with his time at home with the family in Chicago. "It's tough," Michelle says of his 20-hour days. "I consider myself the voice of reason in our household. You have to constantly fight for the balance and constantly sort of pull him away."
http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahandfriends/gking/gking_20061019
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama
From Interview with Barack on website:
"Q: You talk about how we have a personal responsibility to educate our children. What small thing can the average parent (or person) do to help improve the educational system in America? What small thing can make a big impact?
A: Nothing has a bigger impact than reading to children early in life. Obviously we all have a personal obligation to turn off the TV and read to our own children; but beyond that, participating in a literacy program, working with parents who themselves may have difficulty reading, helping their children with their literacy skills, can make a huge difference in a child's life.
http://www.amazon.com/Audacity-Hope-Thoughts-Reclaiming-American/dp/0307455874/
FURTHER READING ON LEADING A BALANCED LIFE
Work, Life, and Family Imbalance: How to Level the Playing Field /Paludi & Neidermeyer (Editors)
"Work, Life, and Family Imbalance showcases the most current and innovative practices in solving the work-life crisis. These practices will shed new light on the issues and help individuals find a sane, yet productive, approach to balancing work and life."
http://www.amazon.com/Work-Life-Family-Imbalance-Playing/dp/0275993906/
Life Lessons For Women: 7 Essential Ingredients for a Balanced Life by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
"Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, #1 New York Times and USA Today best-selling authors of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, are professional speakers who have dedicated their lives to enhancing the personal and professional development of others."
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Lessons-Women-Essential-Ingredients/dp/0757301444/
Overloaded?: From overload to balanced living. Taking control of work and information overload. By Baha Habashy & Margaret Habashy
"Based on the very successful "Overcoming Work and Information Overload" workshop, this practical and easy to read book is a resource supported by handy diagrams and templates to guide you in developing a personalized solution to your overload problem."
http://www.amazon.com/Overloaded-overload-balanced-information-overload/dp/0973649321/
Creative Commons by jurvetson
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124348109@N01/2419574184
Barack Obama on Ellen: Balancing Family
"As a guest on The Ellen Degeneres Show, Barack answers a caller's question on how he maintains his family life while serving as a U.S. Senator and running for President."
"Yes we can!" That is the motto Barack Obama emphasized throughout his presidential campaign. Below, there is further information as to how Barack and Michelle Obama can balance their family and public lives together. This can provide inspiration for the rest of us who are not famous, and yet struggle with the same problems for balance in our lives as well.
Barack and Michelle Obama and their Balanced Lives from the official website:
"When people ask Michelle Obama to describe herself, she doesn't hesitate. First and foremost, she is Malia and Sasha's mom.
But before she was a mother - or a wife, lawyer, or public servant - she was Fraser and Marian Robinson's daughter."
"If Barack is honored with the privilege of serving the United States as president, Michelle looks forward to continuing her work on the issues close to her heart-supporting military families, helping working women balance work and family, and encouraging national service.
"My first priority will always be to make sure that our girls are healthy and grounded," she says. "Then I want to help other families get the support they need, not just to survive, but to thrive.
"Policies that support families aren't political issues. They're personal. They're the causes I carry with me every single day."
http://www.barackobama.com/about/michelle_obama/
Michelle Obama's Balancing Act
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's wife on balancing family, career, and life on the campaign trail
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3748839
Lessons from Barack Obama
"The president of the United States of America leads a balanced life. Sounds hard to believe? U.S. President-elect Barack Obama proves such a thing is possible. In the December issue of Men’s Health magazine, the soon-to-be busiest man in the world dispenses valuable advice on balancing one’s career and family, and finding the time to work out somewhere in between."
http://www.summitmedia.com.ph/press-release/594/
From: Barack Obama's Photostream on Flickr: About Barack Obama/Barack Obama
"Of all my life experiences, I am most proud of my wife Michelle and my daughters Malia and Sasha."
http://www.flickr.com/people/barackobamadotcom/
Barack Obama on Education
Democratic nomine for President; Junior Senator (IL)
"Michelle and I are here only because we were given a chance at an education. I will not settle for an America where some kids don’t have that chance. I’ll invest in early childhood education. I’ll recruit an army of new teachers, pay them higher salaries and give them more support. In exchange, I’ll ask for higher standards and more accountability. We’ll keep our promise to every young American--if you commit to serving your community and your country, we will make sure you can afford a college education"
"And I’ve said this all across the country when I talk to parents about education, government has to fulfill its obligations to fund education, but parents have to do their job too. We’ve got to turn off the TV set, we’ve got to put away the video game, and we have to tell our children that session not a passive activity, you have to be actively engaged in it. If we encourage that attitude and our community is enforcing it, I have no doubt we can compete with anybody in the world."
http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Barack_Obama_Education.htm
OPRAH & FRIENDS: Barack Obama
"Gayle also talks to Michelle about the senator's balancing his work on Capitol Hill with his time at home with the family in Chicago. "It's tough," Michelle says of his 20-hour days. "I consider myself the voice of reason in our household. You have to constantly fight for the balance and constantly sort of pull him away."
http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahandfriends/gking/gking_20061019
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama
From Interview with Barack on website:
"Q: You talk about how we have a personal responsibility to educate our children. What small thing can the average parent (or person) do to help improve the educational system in America? What small thing can make a big impact?
A: Nothing has a bigger impact than reading to children early in life. Obviously we all have a personal obligation to turn off the TV and read to our own children; but beyond that, participating in a literacy program, working with parents who themselves may have difficulty reading, helping their children with their literacy skills, can make a huge difference in a child's life.
http://www.amazon.com/Audacity-Hope-Thoughts-Reclaiming-American/dp/0307455874/
FURTHER READING ON LEADING A BALANCED LIFE
Work, Life, and Family Imbalance: How to Level the Playing Field /Paludi & Neidermeyer (Editors)
"Work, Life, and Family Imbalance showcases the most current and innovative practices in solving the work-life crisis. These practices will shed new light on the issues and help individuals find a sane, yet productive, approach to balancing work and life."
http://www.amazon.com/Work-Life-Family-Imbalance-Playing/dp/0275993906/
Life Lessons For Women: 7 Essential Ingredients for a Balanced Life by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
"Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, #1 New York Times and USA Today best-selling authors of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, are professional speakers who have dedicated their lives to enhancing the personal and professional development of others."
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Lessons-Women-Essential-Ingredients/dp/0757301444/
Overloaded?: From overload to balanced living. Taking control of work and information overload. By Baha Habashy & Margaret Habashy
"Based on the very successful "Overcoming Work and Information Overload" workshop, this practical and easy to read book is a resource supported by handy diagrams and templates to guide you in developing a personalized solution to your overload problem."
http://www.amazon.com/Overloaded-overload-balanced-information-overload/dp/0973649321/
Creative Commons by jurvetson
Barack Obama on Ellen: Balancing Family
"As a guest on The Ellen Degeneres Show, Barack answers a caller's question on how he maintains his family life while serving as a U.S. Senator and running for President."
source(s):
http://www.barackobama.com/about/michelle_obama/ http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3748839 http://www.summitmedia.com.ph/press-release/594/ http://www.flickr.com/people/barackobamadotcom/ http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Barack_Obama_Education.htm http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahandfriends/gking/gking_20061019
http://www.amazon.com/Audacity-Hope-Thoughts-Reclaiming-American/dp/0307455...
http://www.amazon.com/Work-Life-Family-Imbalance-Playing/dp/0275993906/
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Lessons-Women-Essential-Ingredients/dp/075730144...
http://www.amazon.com/Overloaded-overload-balanced-information-overload/dp/...
http://www.barackobama.com/about/michelle_obama/ http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3748839 http://www.summitmedia.com.ph/press-release/594/ http://www.flickr.com/people/barackobamadotcom/ http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Barack_Obama_Education.htm http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahandfriends/gking/gking_20061019
http://www.amazon.com/Audacity-Hope-Thoughts-Reclaiming-American/dp/0307455...
http://www.amazon.com/Work-Life-Family-Imbalance-Playing/dp/0275993906/
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Lessons-Women-Essential-Ingredients/dp/075730144...
http://www.amazon.com/Overloaded-overload-balanced-information-overload/dp/...
| Asker's rating: |
Great answer!
To balance is to have nothing drop - to have a steady, even relationship between elements so that they all stay even and nothing breaks. The elements you choose to balance are what makes a person human - your definition of what makes people better than animals or objects and how you define being healthy and well for a human being. This could include work, family, spirituality, wellness, exercise, nutrition, community service, personal growth, happiness, optimism, goals, contribution to society, accomplishments etc. The process of how you keep these elements alive and in synch is how you balance your life successfully. Celebrity stories as to how they are balancing their lives are below. Many more stories can be found on the web.
INTERVIEWS & CELEBRITY STORIES
Interviews with celebrities on what it's like to balance fame with family Disneyfamily.com
Susan Sarandon, Jim Carrey & Steve Carrell, Patrick Dempsey, Jessica Seinfeld etc.
http://family.go.com/entertainment/pkg-celebrity-moms/pkg-celebrity-moms-interviews/
Tim McGraw: The Two Sides of Tim people.com
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20221865,00.html
"I Am Woman" Helen Reddy - Singer - Archives article 1978 people.com
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20070049,00.html
Life As a Saudi Princess divinecaroline.com
Interview "about her love for her country, her husband’s football hobby, her relationship with her children, and the truisms of the female experience around the world."
http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22362/42847
A Chat with Jennifer Garner Parents.com
"We recently caught up with the glowing star to chat about balancing work and family, dealing with pregnancy cravings, and discovering motherhood's biggest perk."
http://www.parents.com/family-life/celebrity-parents/moms-dads/jennifer-garner/
Interview: Chris Hillman CCM centralcoastmag.com
Former Byrds band-mate Chris Hillman opens up about fame, family, and finding balance.
Excerpt: "Fix the family, you fix the country. It's that simple."
http://www.centralcoastmag.com/html/leisure/entertainment/003_ChrisHillman.html
Home - Family and Kids - Celebrity goodhousekeeping.com
Interviews with celebrities eg. Seal, Emma Thompson, Jonas Family
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/family/celebrity
Time Management Key To Balancing Life: Aishwarya Rai - Actress
http://www.theaishwaryarai.com/article.asp?articleid=41141&Time-Management-Key-To-Balancing-Life-Aishwarya-Rai
Book Review- -How Men Have Babies by Alan Thicke About.com : Fatherhood
The Pregnant Father's Survival Guide
http://fatherhood.about.com/cs/newdads/fr/howmen.htm
QUOTES:
Steve Nash brainyquote.com
"I am a huge believer in giving back and helping out in the community and the world. Think globally, act locally I suppose. I believe that the measure of a person's life is the affect they have on others."
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/stevenash191496.html
SPEAKERS
Vicki Lawrence - Actress
"Lawrence also travels all over the country speaking to charity groups about her life and career, women's health and being a woman in a man's world."
http://www.speakersonhealthcare.com/speakers/Vicki_Lawrence.php
Erin Gray - Model and Actress
"Advocates domestic violence awareness and life balance"
http://www.speakersonhealthcare.com/speakers/Erin_Gray.php
VIDEOS
thepregnancyshow.com
"Bill Cosby speaks out about the need for healthy parenting. In this inspiring video, Bill Cosby gives motivational advice to parents of today’s youth."
http://www.thepregnancyshow.com/cosby_parenting.html?p=3
Heidi Klum - One of the world's most recognizable women says being a mom is everything (video)
http://video.forbes.com/fvn/balancingact/hj_bact070308
A Balanced Life - Deepak Chopra - Part 1 - Author, doctor, speaker
INTERVIEWS & CELEBRITY STORIES
Interviews with celebrities on what it's like to balance fame with family Disneyfamily.com
Susan Sarandon, Jim Carrey & Steve Carrell, Patrick Dempsey, Jessica Seinfeld etc.
http://family.go.com/entertainment/pkg-celebrity-moms/pkg-celebrity-moms-interviews/
Tim McGraw: The Two Sides of Tim people.com
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20221865,00.html
"I Am Woman" Helen Reddy - Singer - Archives article 1978 people.com
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20070049,00.html
Life As a Saudi Princess divinecaroline.com
Interview "about her love for her country, her husband’s football hobby, her relationship with her children, and the truisms of the female experience around the world."
http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22362/42847
A Chat with Jennifer Garner Parents.com
"We recently caught up with the glowing star to chat about balancing work and family, dealing with pregnancy cravings, and discovering motherhood's biggest perk."
http://www.parents.com/family-life/celebrity-parents/moms-dads/jennifer-garner/
Interview: Chris Hillman CCM centralcoastmag.com
Former Byrds band-mate Chris Hillman opens up about fame, family, and finding balance.
Excerpt: "Fix the family, you fix the country. It's that simple."
http://www.centralcoastmag.com/html/leisure/entertainment/003_ChrisHillman.html
Home - Family and Kids - Celebrity goodhousekeeping.com
Interviews with celebrities eg. Seal, Emma Thompson, Jonas Family
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/family/celebrity
Time Management Key To Balancing Life: Aishwarya Rai - Actress
http://www.theaishwaryarai.com/article.asp?articleid=41141&Time-Management-Key-To-Balancing-Life-Aishwarya-Rai
Book Review- -How Men Have Babies by Alan Thicke About.com : Fatherhood
The Pregnant Father's Survival Guide
http://fatherhood.about.com/cs/newdads/fr/howmen.htm
QUOTES:
Steve Nash brainyquote.com
"I am a huge believer in giving back and helping out in the community and the world. Think globally, act locally I suppose. I believe that the measure of a person's life is the affect they have on others."
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/stevenash191496.html
SPEAKERS
Vicki Lawrence - Actress
"Lawrence also travels all over the country speaking to charity groups about her life and career, women's health and being a woman in a man's world."
http://www.speakersonhealthcare.com/speakers/Vicki_Lawrence.php
Erin Gray - Model and Actress
"Advocates domestic violence awareness and life balance"
http://www.speakersonhealthcare.com/speakers/Erin_Gray.php
VIDEOS
thepregnancyshow.com
"Bill Cosby speaks out about the need for healthy parenting. In this inspiring video, Bill Cosby gives motivational advice to parents of today’s youth."
http://www.thepregnancyshow.com/cosby_parenting.html?p=3
Heidi Klum - One of the world's most recognizable women says being a mom is everything (video)
http://video.forbes.com/fvn/balancingact/hj_bact070308
A Balanced Life - Deepak Chopra - Part 1 - Author, doctor, speaker
source(s):
http://family.go.com/entertainment/pkg-celebrity-moms/pkg-celebrity-moms-in...
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20221865,00.html http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20070049,00.html http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22362/42847 http://www.parents.com/family-life/celebrity-parents/moms-dads/jennifer-gar... http://www.centralcoastmag.com/html/leisure/entertainment/003_ChrisHillman....
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/family/celebrity
http://www.theaishwaryarai.com/article.asp?articleid=41141&Time-Managem... http://fatherhood.about.com/cs/newdads/fr/howmen.htm http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/stevenash191496.html http://www.speakersonhealthcare.com/speakers/Vicki_Lawrence.php http://www.speakersonhealthcare.com/speakers/Erin_Gray.php http://www.thepregnancyshow.com/cosby_parenting.html?p=3 http://video.forbes.com/fvn/balancingact/hj_bact070308
http://family.go.com/entertainment/pkg-celebrity-moms/pkg-celebrity-moms-in...
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20221865,00.html http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20070049,00.html http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22362/42847 http://www.parents.com/family-life/celebrity-parents/moms-dads/jennifer-gar... http://www.centralcoastmag.com/html/leisure/entertainment/003_ChrisHillman....
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/family/celebrity
http://www.theaishwaryarai.com/article.asp?articleid=41141&Time-Managem... http://fatherhood.about.com/cs/newdads/fr/howmen.htm http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/stevenash191496.html http://www.speakersonhealthcare.com/speakers/Vicki_Lawrence.php http://www.speakersonhealthcare.com/speakers/Erin_Gray.php http://www.thepregnancyshow.com/cosby_parenting.html?p=3 http://video.forbes.com/fvn/balancingact/hj_bact070308
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