When you think of Bill Gates, you think technology. But when it comes to his kids, he won’t allow them to have an iPhone or iPod. Both are banned.

He says, “There are very few things that are on the banned list in our household. But iPods and iPhones are two things we don’t get for our kids.”

If you think it’s because he doesn’t want his kids involved in technology, you’re wrong. Both the iPhone and iPod are made by Apple and in competition with Microsoft.

I guess I can see that. How about you?

Post from: Blisstree

Bill Gates Says No iPhones or iPods in His Household

Think the rich and famous have it easy when it comes to balancing their lives? Well… YES…. but there are a few who seem to have their feet on the ground at least! One of those is Brad Pitt. He’s got a bajillion kids right now (actually, only six) but he’s already thinking of the future and even retirement from acting.

He said, “I like the balance of it all right now, but probably at some point in the next few decades, I’ll be gone from the world of acting.”

Pitt says he wants to have his kids grow up and then will decide what to do after that. I thought this was an excellent example of someone who “has it all” and yet also knows that “it all” won’t last forever. He seems to be enjoying the moment (with his kids and career) and also thinking about what will happen next when the kids grow up and he’s not the hunky young actor he used to be.

It’s not so different from the rest of us. (Besides the money and fame, of course!) There are two things from his example that we can take away. One is that he’s grateful and living in the moment. He’s happy for what he has, but also is content that it all won’t last forever.

The second thing is that he’s looking forward. Many of us get attached to where we are right now so much that when a great opportunity comes along, we don’t even see it. We actually have to stop and realize it’s a great opportunity.

It isn’t that you can’t be content where you are. It’s just that things evolve and change. Family life and career changes, whether you like it or not. Even if you’re happy in your career, there are probably some things you don’t like but have accepted over the years (because you need to pay the bills – and rightly so!) But you don’t have to just stay planted where you are because the negatives aren’t as bad as they could be. What if there was a situation that didn’t have those negatives? Wouldn’t you at least want to consider it?

Things change even when YOU stay the same. Employers switch up things on you, coworkers leave, bosses change… even if you’re “content” you can be sure there will be things to shake you up a bit. Should you run all over looking for something new all the time? NO WAY! But you should you keep your eyes open to the all the great things the universe can send your way.

Post from: Blisstree

Brad Pitt on Life Balance

I caught this recent article about Oprah Winfrey and how she has gained some weight in the last few years, and one of the things that struck me was that she said she desired balance in her life. More than that, she was “hungry” for a more balanced life.

Oprah even went so far as to say that the lack of balance has helped her gain the weight. She worked too much, and had little time to relax and unwind. I wondered how many of us have felt the same way at times. I certainly have.

In fact, I’m going through one of those times right now. Too busy for life. And too often, my daily workouts get sacrificed in order to “get more done.” The result is that I begin to feel worse because I’m not taking the time to exercise. And even though I DO work more it leaves a hollow feeling when I don’t feel as healthy as I should be.

Oprah has been very honest about her struggles with weight, and I think her honesty helps us look at our own lives.

Post from: Blisstree

Oprah Needs Balance Just Like the Rest of Us

The other day I was walking through Walgreens and happened to notice the new Shape Magazine with Faith Hill on the cover.  In case you haven’t seen it, Faith is wearing a yellow bikini and looking slightly Photoshopped.  Still, she’s obviously in great shape.

But something about the cover annoyed me.  Like the unrealistic model photos from my youth, I’ve noticed a new trend in certain 30 and 40-something year old celebs yakking about “having it all.”  And I’m not the only one.

An article on MSN also talks about the Faith Hill cover.  It says:

“Faith Hill is a tremendous singer. She’s raising three kids, which is hard, hard work. But this photo is just another in a long line of annoying “Aren’t I Amazing” celebrity features that really ought to come with a warning label.

If Faith Hill’s abdomen looks that good after three kids without plastic surgery and a bit of Photoshopping, I’ll eat my hat.”

I think the danger in celebs showing off is that their lives aren’t the same as the rest of the hard working parents out there.  They may be in great shape, but it comes with lots of time off, personal chefs, personal trainers, and nannies to watch their kids.  When they talk about how they “balance” their lives, they are really talking about a dream world for the rest of us.  They don’t know a thing about balance, because they don’t really have to.

I don’t begrudge them this.  But I also think talking about their lives as if they are the same as the average working mother or father makes the rest of us feel as if we aren’t doing a great job just because we don’t have the awesome careers and perfect bodies.

When I was a teen, the hot topic was all about models and how they were portrayed unrealistically.  They wanted us girls to know that the photos we saw were the result of great makeup and airbrushing.  In other words, they weren’t real.  But they felt real.  And these celeb photos and interviews do as well.

What I’d LIKE a celebrity to say is that they have a ridiculously fortune life!  They have lots of help, and after they get done doing a movie or recording an album, they have tons of time off.  They have makeup people come to their house, and working out is a part of their job.  The only time they really feel overwhelmed is when their nanny calls in sick.  Wouldn’t that be refreshing for once?

Post from: Blisstree

Faith Hill’s Bikini Cover