I have now lived one half of a century, and you think that most of us Baby Boomers would learn about balance. Like the old Wonder Bread plugs that Captain Kangaroo would do during his show. We think we have to "Run faster, Jump higher!" Well I have discovered in the last couple years that not true. Why do we have to run faster and jump higher?

Like most Americans I bought into the hype of the "Great American Dream" only to find that dreams can be very misleading. I am not saying that rags to riches or the car in every garage or a chicken in every pot is not true. It doesn’t always happen, and sometime only happens part-way.

My own personal history bares that out. I came from a so called upper middle class family with a family owned business. In the family business we had a hard time keeping it going and my Dad sold it when I was in college. We always lived in a very nice home, had two current model of cars in the garage. We always had nice clothes, and a place at the lake. "That’s were I live now!"

However, I discover that we were hogged tied in debt. My brother and I thought that how you were to live your life. After all everyone else we knew was that way. Terri and I had the house the cars and two good incomes. Then she died and I had one income, small children and debt. I must say I have survived that, but was still under the illusion that I had to have this and that to be part of the American dream. It was up until sometime last year all the lights went on and I discovered that I don’t have to have all this stuff. I discovered that I was spending 98% of my income to maintain what I thought was the normal life. I was in shock! I had to regroup and remount and reload.

I started to make some changes I was 123 pounds[ I have lost 109 pounds.] over weight and need dental work. If I got down I had a hard time getting up and would get winded just walking. I changed my diet, and started exercising. Walking mainly. Next I got into a local dental college and have gotten my dental health back. I was also on medications for all kind of stuff. I now only take vitamins. I had to make some hard decisions. I had to change doctors, dentist and some friends. I had to change my home clean out, clean up and go green. Before I made change only if I was forced into them. With money I wanted to keep more of my dollars so a bunch of credit cards went a way. "If I have to pay cash I think about what I am buying!" I became a price compare and cheapened shopper. I also discovered I was losing money on food that I never ate. Driving too much, now I plan my trips, and letting my utilities cost run my life. To give you a good example. I call the garage that has done my work for years. I asked about a brake job. "Well you’ll need, this and that." About $400.00 give or take. No! I call around. Found a garage that is only eight miles from my house. $250.00 and we can do them in about two hours. On a Saturday. If you have the parts, we only charge for labor. I got the parts. Total $157.81 They got my business.

I have found by changing my life style I have more money, more time and most of all less stress. I no-longer "Live to work, but work to live!" My family at first was thought it was great about some of the changes. Now however they think I have maybe gone too far. I dispelled that myth on the 4th of July. I had to carefully explain why I made the changes I have made and that they are right for me. I also acknowledged that my change may not be right for them.

Re-balancing my life was what keeping me from kill my self at work and keeping me sane. I am much happier, and healthier. Keep more of my work dollars in my pocket. If my family and friends think that I have gone nuts about going Green, Organic, dropping out of the Rat Race as much as possible. So be it! Balance is not dropping out, but dropping in to the right thing that will keep you healthier in your personhood. Balance should not be walking on the fence rail, but walking along side the fence. With stopping leaning on the fence and viewing the world and the beauty that is in it. For me I will continue strive for and maintain balance, not what the perceived balance but what balance is for me. I leave you with two questions. "What is the American dream?" What is balance? Peace!