The Mastering of Balance

Often my body, life, The Universe/God reminds me...no nudges me, to get my life back in balance. What I have learned: that we as women often put ourselves last on the list therefore creating a life out of balance. Each Sunday morning a wise woman I know sits with her cup of coffee and her calendar/agenda in tow. There she arranges her highlighters and neatly marks each day of the upcoming weeks with specific color coding. The color Yellow represents the time dedicated for work and work activities, the color Blue marks the duties and times for personal errands and responsibilities and the glorious color Pink represents the time she adamantly reserves for her personal joy/fulfillment. Pink cannot be things like doctors appointments but rather time reserved for manicures, gardening, reading, a massage, a walk in the botanical garden or any activity that fills your cup. So today I dust off my worn Filofax and gather my highlighters and purposefully set aside time for myself daily. This habit will be a challenge but I am committed to doing so for 21 days (the time necessary to create or break a habit).

THE ART OF FORGIVENESS...

When and how do we learn to forgive? Is it like a muscle...the more we use it the stronger and easier it gets? Is it an art? We all have people we must forgive or ask for forgiveness ourselves. To not do so is to live in bondage, a half life.

Today, I forgive all those who have hurt me, ask forgiveness for those I have hurt and just as importantly I forgive myself.

Forgive And Pass It On!

"To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will received untold peace and happiness."

THE OPEN DOOR...
Is it in my blood, my culture, my life experiences, my beliefs or all of the above? I love people. I love learning about people, their cultures, their story. And so it is, my life (and the lives of those who share my life) are surrounded by perfect strangers who simply are friends we haven't met. Our door, as humble and worn as it is, is always open. Open to family, friends, travelers, kids, students and even the door to door salesman. As one friend leaves another arrives. This I know for sure...Yifeng (our first exchange student who lived with us 5 years ago) arrives next week for a two week visit. Shortly after his arrival, two strangers from Belgium arrive to surf our couch. I used to look at my chipped walls, stained carpet, and worn furniture as blemishes, imperfections that needed immediate repairs and sometimes a source of embarrassment. I now embrace the imperfections of our home like I have accepted and celebrated my grey hair. What is wrong with imperfections? It adds character and tells a story! Like the rings of a tree, each grey hair represents all the years I have been blessed to live and each stain in my carpet tells the story of those that stayed here. And so it shall remain...My life, my door, my mind and my heart shall continue to be open!

Fill your Rx

We are given Rx's when we have too much and when we don't have enough. When we retain too much fluids, take this and call me in the morning. When we don't have enough of a mineral, take this and we'll see you next visit. Let's not forget all the other Rx's we are given...for pain, for stress, for just about everything.
Where is our Rx for Living?
I guess that all depends on you! Like, what is your current "condition" (in life and living)? Who is your "doctor" (Higher Power or what you belive in)? What is the Rx (50 miligrams of Love, 25 miligrams of Joy, 75 miligrams of Laughter, 100 miligrams of Hugs, 125 miligrams of Friendship or 150 miligrams of Forgiveness)? How much "dosage" (2 hugs a day, 5 laughs ad day, etc) do you need? Are "refills" needed?
Hhhhmmm...something to ponder. What do you need more or less of? Now go fill your Rx!