Living life in the Margins - The Principle of Margin.

The Best Life Happens in the Margin

This blog adds a much-needed principle to a previous one, The Rule of More and the Wheel of Life (link here). In that blog, I discussed the components of our lives—body, soul (mind, will, and emotions), spirit, social, financial, and family life—and how life often demands more from us, especially from those closest to us.

Without margin, it becomes incredibly difficult to meet those demands or give more in life. The subject of margin directly complements the Wheel of Life, highlighting how critical it is to maintain balance in all areas of our lives. Without it, our ability to give, grow, and thrive is limited.

What is Margin?

In today’s fast-paced world, margin offers profound insights into how we can live a more balanced, peaceful, and fulfilling life. Much like a profit margin sustains a business, margins in our lives sustain us. Margin allows us to breathe, reflect, and even thrive.

Simply put, margin is the buffer that prevents burnout and overload. It creates the space we need to think, act, recover, and grow. Without margin in the key areas of life—body, soul, spirit, social, financial, and family—our ability to function at our best is compromised.

Why Margin Matters

Margin is more than enough—it’s the space that allows us to enjoy our lives and serve others from a place of abundance rather than depletion. Without it, we risk stress, exhaustion, and relational breakdowns. Margin provides balance, sustains us in tough times, and helps us navigate unexpected challenges.

Through my experiences and the principle of margin, I’ve learned that a lack of physical, emotional, or financial margin can be endured temporarily, but sustaining it long-term requires a strong spiritual margin. A deep connection with God provides the resilience and peace we need when other areas are stretched thin.

How to Build Margin

Here are practical steps to create and sustain margin in your life:

1. Simplify Your Life

Evaluate your commitments and let go of unnecessary obligations. Protect your time and energy.

Tip: Schedule buffer time to avoid overloading your day.

2. Stay on Track

Life’s unexpected events can derail us, but margin helps us recover quickly and stay focused.

Tip: Set clear goals in all areas of life and regularly check your progress to eliminate distractions.

3. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s lacking to what you have. It fosters contentment and fulfillment.

Tip: Replace complaints with thanksgiving for the daily blessings of life.

Living in the Margin

Margin isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. It creates the space we need for growth, connection, and peace. Without it, we struggle to maintain balance in our lives and meet the demands placed on us.

Ask yourself: where do you need more margin? Is it in your time, finances, relationships, or spiritual life? Start small, be intentional, and make it a priority. Because the best life truly happens in the margin.