I asked to learn how to create balance in my life. I was sent three teachers: my four-year-old granddaughter, Madeleine Paige (a.k.a. Maddie), and my Ya-Ya sisters, Marcelle and Rita. Here’s what I learned.

My first lesson came from Maddie while we were playing in the park. She squealed with delight when she saw the extensive variety of multi-sensory play equipment—bump wave, triple rail and “S” tube slides; challenge climbers, crawl tunnels; and arched and swinging bridges—all designed for climbing and exploring.

There was no hesitation on Maddie’s part. Simply one gear and one speed. Forward. Fast. Over and over again, her little legs and arms mastered the challenge climbers to reach the slide platform. She chose to experience every option, multiple times. In this blur of activity, I could hear only one phrase, “This is fun!” And her level of enthusiasm continued to grow. At one point, she stopped abruptly at the top of a challenger climber, planted her feet firmly on the arched bridge, took a deep breath, threw both arms straight up into the air and declared “This will pump me up!” With her declaration made, she ran towards the slide platform to begin yet another round of climb and slide. I just stood there and laughed out loud, over and over again.

Lesson one: play increases our level of enthusiasm and pumps us up.

I learned a second lesson while visiting my Ya-Ya sisters. Rita has two feline companions, Simon Oliver and Miss Kitty Chanté. Marcelle has a canine companion named Oreo. We were all bragging about our pets, kind of like pulling out the pictures of kids and grandchildren. We each had stories about our pets insisting on lap time. Marcelle said Oreo was a Zen Master. Rita and I giggled and asked how so. “Oreo insists on “Zen moments,” a time each day to curl up together and do nothing,” she said.

Here’s her description of “Zen moments” with Oreo: Marcelle and Oreo curl up on the couch. She gently strokes Oreo’s belly. Oreo snuggles closer and emits a blissful sigh. The repetitive motion creates a meditative state for Marcelle. All is well.

Lesson two: “Zen moments” with pets give us time to rest and relax. It’s a time when everything in our world is OK. We tap into a sense of peace and tranquility. And we, too, can breathe a blissful sigh of relief.

I’m grateful for the fabulous teachers the Universe provided. I learned that opposites create balance. Play and fun pump us up, and time-out with pets helps us rest and relax.

One of my goals in 2007 is to hang out with more people who know how to play and have fun, yet take time out for daily “Zen moments” with Spirit and Precious, my two canine companions. Who do you know that can add more play and relaxation in your life? You may want to make a New Year’s resolution to invest your time with them. I guarantee it will create balance and bring more love, laughter and light into your life. C’mon, Let’s Laugh!