What Area of Your Life Needs Balancing?

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to lead a wonderful career plannning/exploration workshop in which I challenge professionals to look at their lives and their work in new ways (http://www.careerstrategists.net/mojo0906.html). Facilitating this workshop is one of my favorite ways to serve others through my work. It really feeds me to see these amazing men and women begin to open up to "possibility" and the idea that they really can live the life they desire.


I was pretty exhausted after the workshop ended--presenting and then responding to individual inquiries for help for four hours straight takes a lot of energy--but was grateful for this opportunity to do what I love and coach in a group environment.


It got me thinking about the Balance topic in a new way though.


Many, myself included, believe that we're here to help and support one another; that service to others can be deeply meaningful and spiritually nourishing. The fruit of love is service, which is compassion in action--Mother Teresa.


But, the challenge is to find that balance between giving and receiving. (Letting other support you and being open to receiving help that comes your way.)


Balance in all areas of our life is what we all desire (not "perfection," but a healthy ebb and flow where we have enough time, energy and resources to devote to those things that matter to us most).


I work with many clients on finding that balance between work/family and life/family, but what about finding the balance between being and doing, listening and talking, moving and stillness, being "out there" and "going inward," helping your kids and letting them figure things out for themselves, initiating conversation with your spouse and letting things just be, using your masculine vs. your feminine strengths, and on and on?


I'm facinated by this dialogue. What area of your life most needs "balancing"? Clearly a theme in my life is finding balance between giving and receiving. I have a feeling this is the year I'm going to really shift around this area. I can't wait.


I'd love to hear your thoughts on this theme. What does it bring up for you and what area of your life most needs balancing?

Shifting

Have you ever been stuck in a way of seeing things or doing things and you know it isn’t working for you, but you can’t see how to find your way out of this pattern? (Uggh, that can feel uncomfortable!!)

And then, you recommit to your own growth/spiritual work and one day, you have the incredibly joyful (and elated) realization that you’ve SHIFTED and no longer feel compelled to do/see or experience things as you had before?

And, if you’re like me, when you’re in that place where the veil has just been lifted, you might plead “please don’t let me revert back to my old stuck patterns .... I’ve seen there is a new/easier/effortless way and I want to be forever changed!” But, because we’re human, we do revert to old thinking at times—only, we don’t stay as stuck or for as long.

I guess this is what we call spiritual evolution.

When I’ve found myself locked into one of my old, unproductive patterns (for example, buying into the notion that I “must” get certain things at work accomplished before I leave for the day, “or else....” ....or else, what?! .... like there won’t always be more work waiting, not too mention that the amount of work I’m trying to accomplish in a given week is usually impossible given my resources)-- and I can’t “see” anyway to shift, I pray.

Prayer for me is simply connecting with God (whether you call that source Spirit, your Higher Power, the Universe, your intuition or your inner voice).

I surrender my situation and my thinking and I simply and quietly state my desire for a permanent shift in how I see things. “I desire to see and live in a way that serves my highest good.”

Sometimes this shift happens right away. Sometimes it takes weeks, or a month or two. But it always comes.

Thank God.

How many times do we try to “think” our way to feeling better and how often does it work? For me the answer is “never.”

I’d love to hear how your experience or create “shifts” in your life, whether that’s through prayer, meditation, moving your body, painting/drawing, playing music or something else .....

Image: This painting is from Mara Friedman, an amazing artist in the Pacific Northwest who creates images of the Divine Feminine. This particular painting is called Awakening Maiden and "represents a woman blossoming and growing in wisdom and understanding." You can check out and purchase Mara's work at www.newmoonvisions.com.