continued from page 12 (Balance)

intervention into your activity. The less stress you place on your-self to accomplish or complete a task, ironically you seem to gain the power to do just that. When you are detached from the out-come you are in process and you are allowing the outcome to take care of itself.

You can see this principle at work in activities of pleasure. For example, on a dance floor your objective is not to end up at a particular place on the floor. In dancing the object is to enjoy he dance, and where you end up is left to the process of dancing. Similarly, at a concert, your purpose is not to get to the end of the music, but to enjoy each moment of the concert.

Getting to the end is of no concern when you are in process. Think of eating a banana. What is the purpose? To get from one end to the other? Or to enjoy each bite? This is true with virtually anything. When we relax and let go, we can get naturally lost in the process, and magically the end result appears.

Leonardo da Vinci encourages us to have balance in our lives, regardless of our pursuits. By all means get involved in your activities, but try to enjoy them for what they are, rather than the final outcome. Moreover, be willing to walk away from an activity when you feel your judgment is out of harmony or proportion. By doing so you gain perspective, and paradoxically you sharpen rather than lose your creative power.

To put this advice of the original Renaissance man to work in your life:

•Practice detaching from outcome in your work and projects.

Be in the moment enjoying your activities for the sheer joy of the action, rather than how they will turn out.

•Walk away from your work from time to time to do nothing. No time restraints, no deadlines, no alarm clocks, in fact no clocks at all. Just let yourself be and notice how free you feel. This kind of distancing without restraints will bring you back to your work with new vigor and much sharper judgment.

•Do what I do frequently if I ever feel stuck. I simply turn the entire thing over to God. I say, “I don’t know what to do at this point and I feel stuck for answers, I am asking you to guide me in resolving this problem.” It may sound simplistic but it always seems to work. The answers come and clarity is restored when I ask God to help me. Remember that one of the greatest achievers of all time, in a myriad of endeavors, advises you to “Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation.” If there is anyone whose advice I would follow, it is the original Renaissance man.