>> MIM Speaks
IN PURSUIT OF A BALANCED LIFE - By S. Hadi Abdullah
JAN 26, 1997 -
NEW STRAITS TIMES
THE survival of ancient m depended very much on I physical
strength, prowess a agility. The discovery of t Neolithic Man
shows clearly th man of the past spent much tir fighting,
hunting or fleeing fra his enemies. Because of the sheer
physical nature of h activity, he seldom succumbed modern day
diseases.
Our progress, especially in tl last 80 years, has made us
dependent on modern modes of su port. We seldom climb stairs
but use the elevator or escalator we drive to the corner shop
to buy our toothpaste instead of walking there many of us sit
in front of personal computers or at the desk the whole day
and eve have wheels on our chairs for easy movement.
This sedentary nature of our living has taken its toll. We se
overweight people, flagging muscles, tension, stress and
numerous degenerative diseases. This does not only deter
person from enjoying life to the full but also make him less
pro ductive and less effective.
I have observed many young executives wanting in fitness when
participating in outdoor leadership training activities Many
young men have difficulty carrying their own weight while
holding on to a rope.
The nature of our work life does not make it easy to lead a
balanced life. We spend a couple of hours a day on the road.
Jef frey Davidson calculated that an average person spends
157,589 miles (252,142km) on the road during his working life.
Job requirement keep many of working late and this makes it
difficult for people to be physically active or indulge in
hobbies. Managers and executives will have to find time to
keep themselves fit.
One CEO gets up at 5.30 am for his morning jog. Besides, he
says, this allows him to be ready early and beat the morning
traffic. A management consultant, not an exercise enthusiast,
has found it convenient to use his exercise bike while
watching TV.
Expert say that sedentary workers should be physically active
and need to indulge in activities that take their mind off
work. Exercise three or four times a week for about 30
minutes. The human body is said to lose the exercise effect
within 72 hours.
Although, traditionally, physical activity was expected to be
continuous, a recent report by the Cardiac Association of
America stated that physical activity can be accomplished
throughout the day.
Simple activities like walking up the stairs or mowing the
lawn, etc, also form part of everyday physical activity. An
individual, they say, should go for aerobic activities because
it has good effect on the heart.
This organ, which normally pumps about five litres of blood a
minute, can easily increase this to four times that amount. It
needs this extra push from time to time.
Experts also recommend people build their muscle as this would
burn food more efficiently. So jogging, brisk walking,
swimming, cycling, gym workouts, tai chi, yoga and playing
games such as squash, badminton and tennis is said to be good.
Performing an activity that involves oneself, such as jogging,
would call for much discipline and best suits loners. Others
can join clubs, involve friends or spouses.
Cardiologist Jim Rippe, Director of the Exercise, Physiology
and Nutrition Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts
Medical School, says that "even 15 minutes of brisk walking
daily makes huge difference. It is not the intensity but the
consistency that counts.
Earlier in the article there was mention of the modern
executive spending much of his or time on road. It would be
good to listen to soothing (by Debussy, Vivaldi or Mozart)
music that would have a calming effect, especially when caught
in traffic jam. Energising pieces from Beethoven, Brahms or
Clarke would be good for long distance driving.
Or we can use this time to listen to cassette tapes, either
books or motivational works which prove to be useful.
Listening to the local radio stations is all right so long as
you do not get irritated.
Managers need to take time off for reflection, to be alone and
at peace with oneself. This could be performed indoors or
outdoors according to one's convenience, so long as the place
chosen is quiet.
Some renowned people have been known to meditate. Kazuo Wada,
chairman of Yaohan, wakes up at 4am every day and meditates
(Zazen) for 30 minutes. This, he says, unites him with God and
results in meeting wonderful people later in the day and
clinching super deals.
A simple form of meditation is to sit in a quiet place and
concentrate on one's breathing or recite a meaningful phrase
over and over again. Meditation is also said to have health
benefits. Dr Deepak Chopra, in his book Ageless Body, Timeless
Mind, quoting a study, says: "Those who had been meditating
longer than five years had an average biological age twelve
years younger than their chronological age."
Good eating habits are important. A good breakfast followed by
regular meals. Energising foods are a must. Examples are all
sorts of peas and beans, tuna fish and bananas.
In a recent article on living food, Rajen M. talks of the need
to take fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. He
recommends very strongly that these should be taken raw, as
far as possible.
He goes on to add that these foods are alive. Chinese call it
chi (life force) and Indians call it prana. People who consume
these foods are said to take energy from them. While
recommending that one should consume a great deal of pure
water, he suggests we eat green peas/beans (one tablespoon
full) before breakfast after having soaked them overnight.
Fast foods are all right when there are no alternatives. It is
good to remember that the essence is to enjoy the food and not
to go on a "medicinal" diet as such, just to keep fit. Food,
like life, is to be savoured and enjoyed.
A study done on longevity by Albert Rosenfeld shows people
with long lives (100 years or more) had certain common
characteristics. Among these are that they had worked hard.
They had enjoyed their work. They did not have too high an
ambition, but were contented with their work family and
religion.
They had few regrets. They had a high appreciation for the
simple experiences and pleasures of life. They lived
relatively quiet and independent lives. They generally
indulged in some physical activity and displayed a strong will
to live. Their standard of health was high.
Managers would be happy to note that these people were
normally above average in intelligence.
Managers are also encouraged to have hobbies, to spend enough
time with the family, to involve themselves in community
activities and such like. This really means that one leads a
balanced life.
A study by Robert H. Rosen on successful CEOs shows that many
of them had hobbies like fishing, jogging, reading, skiing,
yoga, meditation, time chi, rowing, community activities, etc.
There comes a time in one's life when one needs to address the
question of his or her "calling." Even if this question has
not been addressed, it is good to follow the policy of giving
some thing back to society.
Emerson says that without a rich heart, wealth is an ugly beg
good. The spirit of giving soothes the heart and makes one
feel good. So does sharing and caring.
Stop for a moment and count syour blessings. It is good to
seek a balance in life. The universe itself is in perfect
balance, the ecology of nature, the physiolo isgym Off the
human body, the evdu stion of a human foetus into a baby.
It is also in harmony and has great synchronisation. Likewise,
erwe need to balance our lives, geenjoy the beauty of nature
and rsall creation. We should endeav alour to seek harmony,
balance, peace, laughter, love and finally bliss!
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