Balance is such a hot topic because in our increasingly fast paced lives, finding it and maintaining it (even the imperfect variety I aspire to) is a real challenge. Everywhere I go, people are struggling with balance. I always make sure I preface my programs by saying I haven’t got any secret yoga pose or zen meditation technique that leaves one feeling calm, centered and in eternal harmony with the universe. I wish! And I usually don’t have to think too far back to recall an incident that exemplifies my struggle to keep all the balls airborne myself (like when I sent one of my kids off to guitar lessons without their guitar). But given I spend a lot of time thinking about how I can balance the often conflicting demands of being an involved mum of four active kids while pursuing ambitions outside the home and still maintaining rich friendships, a healthy marriage and staying half fit, I certainly feel like I’ve come up with some good questions that help me stay sorta balanced as I go about my daily juggling act.
[pullquote]Sometimes you have to say no to the good to make room for the great[/pullquote]
One thing I know for sure is that unless you have a clear idea about what you are most committed to, you will be hard pressed to discern what opportunities, invitations and responsibilities you need to say no to. Needless to say there are so many good and worthwhile people, causes and activities you can fill you day with. But as I wrote about pretty extensively in my book Find Your Courage, sometimes we need to say no to the ‘good’ to make room for the great. For me over the next few months the great will be taking some time out from travelling all over the country and spending time just hanging with my brood of kids at the pool, taking some fun vacations and reading some of those books piled high on my bedside table.But what about you? What things could you be doing for yourself over the next couple months that would enhance your sense of wellbeing and restore alignment between what you are committing to and what you are most committed to? Here’s a few other of my favorite questions to sit with over the weekend:
- What is one thing you could say no to?
- What is one thing you would love to say yes to?
- What requests could you be making that you haven’t been?
- What concern, expectation or ideal do you need to let go of?
- What daily practice could you begin to incorporate into your life that, if done regularly, would make a profound difference on your experience of each day and sense of wellbeing?
Just like the guy up on the tight rope who’s always moving his beam back up and down on each side. No sooner has he struck perfect balance than he’s moving away from it again. Such are the days of our lives right? Just as your life is always changing, so too are things you need to be saying no to (and yes to!) in order to create the sense of balance and wellbeing that you want. Sure, take on big lofty goals that inspire you but as you move along toward them and feel stretched and pulled in multiple directions, remember that while there is never enough time in the day to do everything you want to do, there is always enough time to do the most important things!
Have yourself a fabulous weekend… and be sure to do at least one thing for yourself that will have you enjoying yourself, your weekend and your life that little bit more.
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