One of my closest friends — who has not approved this blog post, so for now shall remain nameless — has been asked to speak on BALANCE at an event coming up in Maryland. I will, of course, be making this trip with her. She asks, “Aren’t I the WORST person to speak on BALANCE?”
Honest answer: Maybe — at first glance. Because she struggles. She’s fiercely driven, loves to over-deliver, makes a really good income (on her terms), and has a son that she takes for pizza all the time… and the pool. A son who still loves for her to drop him off at school… and all of the family commitments that make being a fiercely driven business owner THAT MUCH more hectic. There are weeks when she’s a rockstar to her clients and feels like a failure at home, and weeks when she’s a rockstar Mom, feeling like she’s let her client’s down. She’s learned to draw boundaries… and to move them (in or out) when necessary.
All of this (and MORE of the gory details she’ll reveal about life as a busy mom/woman/wife/biz owner/ rock star…) is EXACTLY what makes her the perfect choice for this presentation. They couldn’t choose a better speaker. Because she’ll share her struggles… and her solutions. She’ll share the TRUTH — which is that perfect balance that lasts forever is like a unicorn farm. It doesn’t exist.
However, she’ll also share — instead — that balance is something constantly being defined and created and then redefined and re-created. CHANGING, of course, along with the person pursuing it.
What’s your definition of BALANCE today?
I loved this piece Michelle..and working mom/entrepreneurs will feel it in their hearts I believe, as I did. I have a fair amount to say on what balance is.. it’s part of how I help my clients who sometimes use food and eating to try to buffer the world and feeling too much. But maybe balance as you spoke in this piece, is really about having as much choice as we need.. to put our energies into what we most need to do at any given moment. The freedom to flow where we want to be, depending on what’s in our heart and on our schedule.
Nobody ever gets this perfectly.. and that should never be the goal.
I know for me, part of staying sane, let alone balanced, is having non-negotiable morning time .. sacred space and my sacred daily rituals.. what I call my Daily Essentials to “set the energies” for the day… a specific kind of meditation and grounding practice, clearing energy, and a way of focusing my intentions that makes all the difference in whatever comes next.
Love to you my friend..
Lisa
http://www.IntuitiveBody.com
Simple Sacred Solutions For Living Beautifully In Your Body
this is something i think about often. truly there is no such thing as “balance”, but perhaps what we are striving for is a feeling that we are putting our time and energy into those things that we want to be, as much of the time as possible.
with two kids, and two(+) businesses, i can attest to feeling that my energy is often split in many directions. the days when i feel i’m giving my energy where i want to be giving it most, are the days i feel most “in balance”. the days when i’m feeling obligated to put my time and energy into things that i don’t want to be, are the days i feel less so.
i strive for spending my time and energy in the places, the things, the people that i want to spend them on. not always easy, but it’s a great challenge!
thanks, michelle, for posting this. i’m sure that whoever is this mystery speaker, will be fantastic!
take care,
jill
http://www.fixyourownpain.com
http://www.goldivox.com