Finding Balance

“Balance isn’t fitting everything in. It’s starting with what’s important and letting the rest fall as it will.”

Erica Layne

I do not know why I am so tired and worn out today. I woke up tired. But I got my workout in and my quiet time practiced without slumping into a nap. In a few minutes, I might need a nap and that will be A-OK, but first - the important things. I sat for a while and then went into the kitchen and prepped for dinner. At a minimum, Pete can heat these foods up and we can eat tonight.

Last night I had big plans for today. Cleaning and organizing and writing and reading. Maybe tomorrow.

I am considering how I feel about my day. I am tempted to feel cranky and impatient with the piles of laundry to fold and, to be honest, a bigger pile of dirty laundry to wash. But fortunately, I am considering. And I’ve decided that I’m going to appreciate that I completed what I have done today and thankful that maybe tomorrow I can get a couple more things accomplished.

I’m grateful that balancing is not fitting everything in. I am committed to doing what I can manage. If your day is shaping up full of vim, vigor and vitality I am so happy for you. But if not, I hope you will find one important thing today to attend to - it may be a good nap!

Our One Wild and Precious Life…

“It’s okay to be happy with a calm life.”

Unknown

“My job is killing me. I work all the time. If I don’t, I’ll get fired or dinged on my performance review. I need this job to support my family.”

“I am so tired, I cannot rest worrying about my kids.”

“I cannot turn off the news at night; what is this world coming to?”

Can you relate? What’s your story? What story do you tell yourself that interrupts the possibility of a calm life? What stands between you and a reasonable level of happiness?

What could you change about how you think and what you do that would reframe your perspective? Can you give yourself permission to create a reasonably happy, calm life for yourself?

I know habits may have to change; hard choices may need to be made. But, as Mary Oliver says, THIS IS OUR ONE WILD AND PRECIOUS LIFE! Why would we waste it on chasing our tails? Or, metaphorically speaking, chasing our tales?