Blog 14 - Finding balance

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman, American theologian. Finding balance in our lives is critical if we are to be happy, contented and fulfilled. Many women spend years striving and struggling to meet the expectations and goals of society and of other people, then wake up one day and find that their own goals and dreams were entirely different than those they fought so hard to realize. The first essential step to finding balance is to define what is most important to YOU personally. That might be a college degree, or masters or doctorate, or being a stay-at-home Mom with a large family or maybe having a successful and lucrative career – or maybe all of those things. The critical part of this step is to make it personal, not allowing others to define what is important to you. When the step of defining what’s important is finished, then make a plan and a timetable – this can be very detailed or more general, based on what is comfortable for you personally. Another important way to maintain balance is to learn to say no to requests that will cause you to be over-committed. Agreeing to do things that we don’t have time or energy for (or a passion for!) is a major cause of frustration, fatigue and imbalance for most women. Women should also make sure that there are periods of time in their schedules for personal renewal. The amount of time you allow for this is very individual – some women require more than others. This personal renewal time might be for reading, hobbies, a pedicure, a walk, watching a TV show or just spending time alone or with a friend. Another important step is to pursue intellectual renewal – a refreshed mind is an energized and balanced mind. Lifelong learning will keep each of us young and strong. Spiritual renewal is also important – this is very personal and individual for each woman, because each of us is spiritual in different ways. I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and I pray and meditate often, but others may find this spiritual renewal through different avenues. This important thing is to add this step to your quest for balance. As a woman who has been through many phases of life, I would just encourage each of you, as you seek balance, to define what’s important to you, then live your dream and wear your passion every day, making sure that the dreams and passions are your own, NOT those someone else may have defined for you.