SEEKING BALANCE

There is a time for rest and a time for attending to responsibilities; a time to play and a time to work.  Giving in to impulsive urges to avoid obligations and take off doing mindless activity is tempting but ultimately matters are only made worse.  Tasks still need to be completed and procrastination only increases worry, anxiety, defeat, and low self-esteem. 

Today, I choose to strive for moderation.  I will diligently take care of the things that require my attention.   I will remember to nourish myself with good nutrition and exercise. I will take time to breathe and relax.  I will give myself permission to play and rest.  I will avoid excess and be mindful of maintaining equilibrium and balance.  At least I’ll try…

 

WHAT NOW?

Is it the end of the road?  There are times when it certainly feels like the end and all hope is gone.  I can see no way out and catastrophe is looming in the air.  I’m at a dead stop wondering what now.  Then, out of seemingly nowhere, I notice the next best step and then the next and next..  Before long I look back and see that the road has taken a turn, I look ahead and see a new stretch of road before me.  I am enlivened again with optimism and confidence.

I have learned to not trust what I feel is ‘the end’ but rather to wait with hope for the next best step, surrendering my agenda, breathing, opening my heart to whatever will come.  Believing there is a purpose to road I am on brings me comfort, a hint of promise and possibility, an ability to remain in the question, and a sense of peace.  Today, I will be reminded that each of us walks our own journey.  Where?  I don’t know but I trust the road will continue…

FACING FEAR

Fear binds up the spirit and creates havoc within.  Although fear might knock on the door of my heart today, I don’t have to open the door and invite it in.  I can ignore it by distracting myself with more healthy pursuits.  I can face it and challenge its false claims of doom and disaster with the truth serum of love and transformation.  While danger may be an actual reality to be faced and dealt with; fear is based only on thoughts and beliefs that are like wisps of wind that can be present one moment and gone the next.

I choose to courageously face the dangers and confrontations that show up in my life today and to recognize fear for the ‘boogey man’ it is.  I will stand strong knowing I have the ability to bravely encounter the moments of fear I may face with wisdom, strength and faith in myself, my journey, my friends, my higher power and a universe that continues to unfold and grow in love.

RESPONSIBLE THINKING

I choose to open my mind to different ways of interpreting the events that occur in this day.  It is very easy for me to lock on to the dysfunctional belief patterns of blaming (They’re out to get me), inadequacy (I’ll never be good enough), narcissisim (It needs to be my way), or All or nothing thinking (Noone ever…Everyone always…It’s never going…).  Although this thinking is familiar it also leads me down the rabbit hole of negativity.

Today, I will challenge these beliefs by taking accountability, acknowledging my enough-ness, recognizing my limitations, and reminding myself that balance and moderation seems to work better for me than living in the extremes of all or nothing.  I can take responsibility for my thinking.

GROWING

Growing can be thrilling as I open myself up to new opportunities and innovative, creative ways of doing things.  Growing can be scary as I step into the unknown believing there will be solid ground to stand on.  Growing can be frustrating as I try out new behaviors and skills and struggle for mastery.  Growing can be irritating when I’m pushed into it before I’m ready to move forward.  Growing can be sad when I have to let go of people, places, and things and say goodbye.  Growing can be inviting and welcome as I face this new 24 hours.

I choose to open my being to the growth that presents itself today.  However, I may feel as it appears I will breathe, reassure myself, and then take a step forward trusting this path I am on.

PRACTICING STILLNESS

Taking time to breathe, clear my mind, and center can feel like a waste of time but it certainly isn’t!  It is as essential to my wellbeing as eating, exercising, connecting with friends, and sleeping.  There are always so many details to attend to and reasons to put off a few minutes of meditation.  When I was younger I was too busy surviving, people pleasing, and trying hard to not make mistakes to acknowledge a need for a time out.  Those days are over and it’s now necessary to develop new habits.

Today I will slow down and recognize my need for grounding and silence.  I will deliberately set aside the time I need to be still within and quiet.  I will center myself in tranquility and allow my heart to be full.  In this moment, nothing is so important it can't wait.  I breathe in serenity and peace.

DEALING WITH FEELINGS

I often forget what I feel is dependent on my beliefs and thoughts.  I feel sad, disappointed, hurt, angry, happy, or whatever and can easily blame others for generating these feelings in me.  By doing so, I absolve myself of responsibility and feel disempowered.  No wonder it’s so easy to feel victimized and out of control.  I can sometimes overlook the fact that my feelings are created by my own judgments, interpretations, assumptions, and the stories I tell myself about the events that occur in my life.  If I choose to tell myself ‘this is the worst day ever’ or ‘things should go the way I want them to go and it’s horrible when they don’t’, of course I’m going to feel very frustrated and upset.  If I choose to tell myself ‘this isn’t what I want, but sometimes I get what I want and sometimes I don’t’, then I still feel may feel discouraged but it won’t be such an extreme experience. 

Today, I will take responsibility for my feelings, thoughts and actions.  I will recognize when blaming others surfaces in my mind and remind myself that no one is ultimately in control of my life, except me.  I can acknowledge my feelings and find ways to get my needs met.  I accept myself; my feelings, thoughts, needs, actions.  This is my life to live as I choose.