Hello, I’m back! Back in the groove. One kid is back at school. The other kid is still sleeping (he’s back tomorrow). I’m at my computer. Happy 2016, my beautiful ladies!
For the first time in a few years, I did not check in once while on a blogging hiatus. I felt guilty for not connecting with you these past two weeks, but I really wanted to decompress, rest my head, spend time with my family, and be fresh for 2016.
I feel ready.
Well not THAT ready.
Let me explain.
This year was the second time I made ZERO New Years resolutions for myself. ZERO. You know why? As I approached the finish line of 2015, I read something that hit me. On Facebook, to boot! I actually shared it this week.
It was this. These simple little words on a screen.
And I decided that my goal for 2016 would be balance. It wouldn’t be about crossing things off, accomplishing things, getting more fit, eating healthier, reading more to the kids. None of that– it would be about living more balanced.
It sounds pretty simple. And maybe even fluffy. But this seems to be a recurring pattern in my life. I keep seeing BALANCE as my sign to refocus.
When I was on the brink of burnout in 2001, my therapist gave me sage advice. She said, “Don’t diminish your gifts, but rather balance them. Don’t dim the lights on your talents. You don’t have to stop doing what makes you successful in life. And you don’t have to stop doing what makes your heart beat with exuberance. Be your authentic self, but complement it and balance it with a calmer, more zen lifestyle.” Kind of like this quote above from Facebook. It was my aha and light-bulb moment! I didn’t have to change who I was, I just had to balance my hectic pace with calming activities. This ended up becoming the birth of yoga for me. For you, it may be the gym, meditation, walking, tai chi, a nightly bath, coffee with girlfriends. But I think we all need to find a way to level the playing field for ourselves in 2016.
You see, I put on almost ten pounds, found new grey hairs I’ve never f’n seen before, and maybe shouted at times I shouldn’t have over the past year or two. I don’t have a list of things I want to do, or resolutions I want to make. I seek only balance in 2016. I want to do it all, but at my own pace. A more BALANCED pace.
It’s a fine line to walk – kind of like teetering on a fence and trying not to fall. When do you push hard, when do you pull back? But I think we become better experts as we go along. We know when we’ve overdone it, because our bodies give us that wisdom. We just have to listen and respond. Gently.
Happy 2016, and welcome back to a brand new year.
With love and gratitude,
