Balance is a practice, not an outcome

I recently shared a post with a quote by Benjamin Franklin saying "He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities". There's a truth in this that applies to all of us, men and women alike and I think it's something that we often overlook, especially at this time of year. So I wanted to explore the topic a bit more here and offer some suggestions for finding balance in the midst of all the doing and busyness.

I tell people when I introduce myself as a #transformationalcoach that I walk my talk. And it's true! None of us is perfect and I don't teach perfection or pretend that I'm perfect! We do our best.? And in the context of this post on the power of rest, like you, I endeavour to get the balance right.

#Balance is a funny thing!

And here's what I've come to learn and teach about it.? Balance isn't about equal amounts of time for different activities or priorities. Neither is it a static thing.? It's more about constantly recalibrating.? The skill here is to notice what you're noticing and make adjustments as you go.

You've got too much time on your hands some days, bored with Netflix boxsets? Take a class, start a hobby, volunteer.... You overdo your commitments and are feeling a bit ragged? Take a day off, get out in nature at the weekend or on your lunchbreak, respectfully extract yourself from some commitments or delegate (even if it's e.g., delegating more household tasks to your kids who suddenly are a year or two older and you realise they are ready to do a bit more for themselves).?

You might have a big project on the go and it's taking lots of time.? This could be at work or it could be a project in the home - a major electrical upgrade, negotiating a mortgage, putting new care arrangements in place for a parent or grandparent who's care needs have changed.? These things are important!? And yes, life often gets unbalanced while we give them the care and attention they require and deserve. And that's ok! Be ok with things being a bit hectic for a while AND build in the recovery time both during and afterwards. There can still be balance overall when we do that. The problem arises when we just leapfrog from one over-extension of our time and energy to the next.

Here's how it works.? If you follow what I'm suggesting, you'll notice you want to make some adjustments. You'll put in place some new practices that improve the situation and it'll feel right for a while, maybe for a few weeks, maybe for several months at a time.? Then life gets busy or quiet and you feel the need for further recalibration.? And so the adjustments continue and balance is restored.? Balance is a #practice, not an outcome!? And we experience overall balance through noticing what we're noticing and constantly recalibrating.

It's been a very busy few months in my life and my family's life! Our twins have started at University.? And even though our eldest is commuting from home for his work and studies, our evenings are very different Monday - Thursday.?? Andrew and I are adjusting to being more #emptynesters.? We've built in a bit more travel than usual for this time of year. I ran my Vision Workshop in October and my first ever Spiritual Immersion Retreat just last weekend.? With the change in weather and routine I'm not swimming as much.? I'm loving most of it,? missing swimming and noticing that the balance is a bit out of whack!? Some #recalibration is required.

Long story short,? I'm proud to have consciously built in 4 days R&R as I arrive in #albertacanada?in preparation for a business building retreat with my coach next week.?

I'm feeling heartfelt appreciation for the friends I get to visit here and the down time to reflect on the year just ending and all I'd love to create in the new year ahead.?

I'm planning some meals with friends I love to see, a #labyrinth walk, early nights, #journalling time, and time for me just to soak in the immensity of the night sky over the prairies of Alberta, maybe with the fire pit going if i can manage it. All part of my way of experiencing heaven on earth and restoring balance in my life.

What have you been noticing in your life of late?? Do you need to spice things up a bit or calm them down? What would you love in order to feel like the balance is right for you for now?? What do you need in terms of some #rest and #reflectiontime before and during the busyness of the festive season?? What would you love?