Balance is required in as many of these areas as possible to be truly happy.

Mental: the mind / emotions / conscious mind.

There are many things that one can do to have good mental health. The four that I try to teach all of my students are; Write in a journal and read it from time to time, Have a good support system(Family, Friends, Church friends (people who are learning and believing the same things you do)), Find some time alone to think about life, truth, your goals and direction, and last reflect on the past, present and future daily.When a person reads the scriptures they can see and hear from the past, as they study, live and learn, daily, they partake of the present, and as they hope and dream of the goals they have, they get a glimpse of the future. Stay mentally healthy by keeping these things in balance in your life. Don’t get stuck anywhere too long so you can continually grow and be of greater worth to those around you.

Physical Body: parts, health, food and make up of those parts.

The physical body is an area of importance because it is the part of us that actually performs the things we think. We are what we eat, as strong as we work, limited by our lack of understanding and preparation. Did you know that it takes the average body 6 weeks to learn a new motor skill. How many us give up after the first try because our body couldn’t do it the first week of trying. Here is something to think about why are most lessons 6 weeks or longer.

Spiritual Spirit: soul, seventh sense.

Every body has a spirit inside. It can see things that the natural eye can’t see, hear things the physical ear can’t hear, but more importantly when the body is tuned with the spirit the individual’s potential becomes limitless. Get to know your spirit so that you can control your mind and body more efficiently and effectively.

Family: blood: relatives interactions.

The Family is the integral unit of a society. A place where values are first learned and the place where most sacrifices are made for the creating of each individual. The family usually has the most influence on the outcome of any individual. The cool part of a family is that it is always changing and every family is as different as the individuals they create.

Social: All other people interactions.

The society we live in also has a great deal to do with the outcome of an individual. It is an avenue that can influence the values of an individual or family and change the direction or product of the individual. It is said that strong families make for a strong society but remember it is the entire village that raises a child. As athletes we have many opportunities to interact with all the communities around our sports and can influence those communities as to their support or lack of support for our sport endeavors. Our impact can be as small as our immediate family to future generations. It can be on our local club or world wide. Influence is a tool used daily try with all your might to stand for truth and what is right in all that you do. Do not succumb to bad influences that you know are wrong or are not true. Think before you act and do your best to research things before you jump in. Look up the city you are traveling to for your sporting event. Get to know something about the community before you visit. It will make getting to know others easier if you know something about them.

Educational: Learning, knowledge, wisdom, the joy, creativity.

This is where the rubber meets the road. The truths we learn in this life will directly influence where we stand, how far we can go. and what we are able to do. Know this; we are here to gain knowledge so that we can function better, faster, calmer, happier in any environment in which we travel. With an education you have an opportunity to become wise, and a good influence on others. As tennis players we travel in many parts of the world and into many cultures and communities. It is important that we learn how to get along with others but at the same time stay obedient to the laws we know to be true. Seek after universal truths. So that you can be successful at anything you endeavor.

Financial Work: career, fruits, support, shelter.

The financial portion of our lives contributes the fruit to support and sustain the individual, the family and the community. Our work/career, provides the products we need and want to make this life comfortable for us and others. Remember there are many types of fruits some are more valuable than others, but remember the same fruit may be more valuable in someone else’s hands. Be careful most people get out of balance because of this one area and it affects all the other areas.