Teachers International Press

Nine Pillars of Life

The Nine Pillars of Life
By David E. Feyk

Every person is born with nine pillars of life. These nine components make up everything you are and everything you do. Some people possess very strong pillars, while others struggle with very weak pillars. People who lead unbalanced lives, as a general rule, live their lives in frustration and unhappiness. On the other hand, people who nourish each of their nine pillars and treat each as an intricate part of their lives, tend to be happier and more content.

The key to a truly happy and balanced life is to treat each pillar with respect, responsibility, and nourishment. Each pillar must be sculpted in such a way that all nine pillars support your life equally. If one or two pillars are weak and decide to crumble, your life will tilt or topple, and your life may come crashing down. Each pillar must provide equal strength, stability, and sustenance to your life.

It is very important for you to assess the nine pillars of your life. Listed below are 80 questions about your nine pillars of life. If a statement is mostly true for you, print YES in the blank space. If a statement is mostly false for you, print NO. You will learn the total strength of your nine pillars at the end of this quiz. Have fun answering the following questions:

Physical
Yes	No	I exercise regularly.
Yes	No	I maintain a balanced diet.
Yes	No	My weight is in the healthy range for my height.
Yes	No	Do I have regular medical check-ups?
Yes	No	I suffer from chronic diseases of which I could improve.
Yes	No	My energy level is average or above.
Yes	No	My muscle tone is average or above for my age.
Yes	No	My life is more stress free than not.
Yes	No	My strength level is average or above for my age.
Yes	No	My physical condition plays a major part in my life.

Mental
Yes	No	I associate with positive, successful people.
Yes	No	I approach my life with a positive attitude.
Yes	No	My moods are more stable rather than being temperamental and changeable.
Yes	No	I am generally happy with the condition and status of my life.
Yes	No	I am more happy than sad.
Yes	No	I like most of the people with whom I associate.
Yes	No	I generally forgive people and I don’t hold grudges.

Intellectual
Yes	No	I exercise my mind through reading, seminars, and/or discussions.
Yes	No	I read at least an hour a day.
Yes	No	I read a newspaper on a regular basis.
Yes	No	I attend self-improvement seminars, classes, or discussions.
Yes	No	I express my thoughts by hand writing or on a computer.
Yes	No	I try to learn at least one new fact or idea each day.
Yes	No	I associate with people who are smarter than I.

Recreational
Yes	No	I have enough diversionary activities to give me happiness.
Yes	No	I have a regular hobby or activity in which I participate.
Yes	No	I take a week or more vacation at least once a year.
Yes	No	My favorite recreational activity is also my passion.
Yes	No	When I engage in my favorite activity, I forget my troubles.

Spiritual
Yes	No	I believe in God or in some type of supreme being or higher power.
Yes	No	I regularly attend church services.
Yes	No	I pray when I am grateful or need help.
Yes	No	I am involved with others in a spiritual way.
Yes	No	I have reached an element of inner peace.
Yes	No	I do not criticize others for their religious beliefs.

Social
Yes	No	I have enough good and loyal friends.
Yes	No	I am more of a success than a failure.
Yes	No	I dedicate enough time for my own personal needs.
Yes	No	A pet is part of my family.
Yes	No	I am involved in community activities.
Yes	No	I do not feel stressed with too many irons in the fire.
Yes	No	I dedicate a sufficient amount of time for myself most every day.
Yes	No	I dedicate time for self improvement activities on a regular basis.
Yes	No	I have an outside passion besides my job or family.
Yes	No	I think I am a very good person.

Family
Yes	No	I have had a good relationship with my parents.
Yes	No	I have had a good relationship with my siblings.
Yes	No	I have had a good relationship with my spouse or significant other.
Yes	No	I have had a good relationship with my children.
Yes	No	I spend a sufficient amount of quality time with my family.
Yes	No	I have no feud or grudge with any close or extended family members.
Yes	No	My family is my first priority.
Yes	No	I attend family functions on a regular basis.
Yes	No	I communicate with my family on a regular basis.
Yes	No	I know of no relative who dislikes me as person.

Career
Yes	No	I like my job.
Yes	No	I like going to work.
Yes	No	I would rather be enjoying another career.
Yes	No	I am good at the work I do.
Yes	No	My career challenges my abilities.
Yes	No	I have a chance to advance in my career.
Yes	No	I feel appreciated for the work I do.
Yes	No	I am where I want to be in my career.
Yes	No	I like my co-workers.
Yes	No	When I tell people what I do for a living, I am proud of it.
Yes	No	I like my co-workers.
Yes	No	My career gives me a feeling of satisfaction and fulllfillment.

Financial
Yes	No	I spend my money in a solid, prioritized manner.
Yes	No	I develop and keep a written budget.
Yes	No	I avoid impulsive purchases.
Yes	No	I put away a certain amount of money each paycheck for savings or investment.
Yes	No	I earn more money more than I spend.
Yes	No	My credit card accounts are kept current.
Yes	No	My credit cards are not stretched to the maximum.
Yes	No	I hold adequate health, life, car, and home insurance.
Yes	No	I realize I need more for retirement than just Social Security.
Yes	No	I have developed and keep a current financial statement.
Yes	No	My credit report states that I am squeaky clean.
Yes	No	I know where all the money I earn is going.
Yes	No	I have a current will.