As many of you know, being an entrepreneur, a mother, a partner and with all the other things in between, this is not for the faint of heart. I have taken on all of those roles, so I’ve learned how to be flexible, how to adapt, and I believe one of my most precious gifts has been my ability to think outside the box and focus on how something can work vs. how it cannot. I’m grateful for this resilience and learned flexibility, however I feel I’ve had these skills all along and have unfortunately perfected multitasking, overdoing and over-giving to others when I barely had anything left for myself.
Burnout is real and I’ve been there, more than once. These days, adaptation is still in action but without striving and with loving intention. I’ve decided that not all days need to be maxed out and that’s on purpose, especially during what can traditionally be an extremely busy and stressful season.
I find some days are more active than others and that’s ok. That’s the ebb and flow of life. Balancing mindfully. I now choose to be available according to my own schedule, taking my dog to the groomer, my children to appointments from school and their extracurricular activities after school. Yesterday, much to my delight, I got to take my dear cousin, who is like a sister to me, out to lunch before she left the province.
Someone once told me that I look like someone who makes things happen”. It’s a compliment and over time I’ve learned to balance being someone who takes action with putting on my own oxygen mask to ensure I’m available to help! A few years ago I did a CPR course so I would be prepared if anyone around me is in need. I received a keychain (see image below) during a training and it’s a great reminder as not only does it prepare me to save someone else’s life, I also intentionally double it as a reminder that I am of no help to another unless I care for myself first.
So today is an intentionally slower day. I’m writing and lovingly watching my children play outside making a snowman. This view, as I sit by the Christmas tree with my laptop in hand, without leaving my home today feels good.
Life is a balancing act as each day is different with so many moving parts. Many we cannot control, many we can.
Learning to make space for both the yin and the yang, all the moving parts, which never ends or stands still is a lesson worth learning in the pursuit of leading a full and balanced life.
We cannot control what happens outside of us
We can only control how we respond to the stimuli
With compassion for the self first, patience for the self first and with creating space within the self to observe the self, this is where the shift happens.
This is where empowerment, truth and inner strength unfolds.
This is the place where we impact the world and those around us.
This is where seeds can be set outside of us to impact the world, but only if they are first set inside of us.
Today’s recipe:
1 Heaping Cup of forgiveness to self
2 Heaping Cups of hugs to self
2 Tablespoons of high-fives to self
Remove any doubts from self or others
Regularly check for tension and reset with a breath or a time in
Add laugher as a garnish, strongly recommended
Sprinkle with winks, nods and a “hell yes”
From head to toe, I’ve made up my mind to make the most of this and every day of opportunity to run errands and take “time in’s” to stop and enjoy the beauty of it all. My wellness practice allows me to learn about myself, love myself a little more, and put on my own oxygen mask.
Will you join me and bring this practice into your life?
You are worth it and….the world needs you!
