Tuesday, January 26, 2010

balance

It's a constant theme in my life......the issue of balance: how to find that sweet spot between being in the moment, being utterly grateful for what I have, and also pushing myself forward, growing, reaching for that next dream. It can be maddening at times, this back-and-forth tug between growth and acceptance, yet the more I read about it, the more I speak with other women, the more I realize how universal this feeling is. The trick is to let yourself lean into that feeling of unrest, to allow that feeling to motivate you, to move you to your highest calling, without letting it consume you with feelings of fear, desperation, anxiety and envy......much easier said than done!

I have been reading (devouring) The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin the last few days, and I can not recommend it highly enough. It is insightful. It is practical. It is just what I needed. The book chronicles Gretchen's year-long attempt to become happier by tackling a new set of self-imposed resolutions each month. I have dog-eared LOTS of pages...lots of little tidbits, bits of wisdom.

Some highlights:
"It is by studying little things," wrote Samuel Johnson, "that we attain the great art of having as little misery, and as much happiness as possible."

"Happiness," wrote William Butler Yeats, "is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that, but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing."

"One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy. One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself."

One of the big take-aways for me, was the reminder to simply TAKE ACTION. When my mind is swirling with ideas, to-do lists, wishes, dreams and judgments, the best thing to do is something. I have a tendency to become overwhelmed with all the things I could be doing....all the things I should be doing, and that feeling often causes me to become stagnant (which only worsens the problem).
My new mantra is to Do it Now: make the phone call, send the email, write the letter, wash the car, fix the cabinet, clean out the closet, schedule the dinner, send the invitations, make the meal, do the taxes, make the appointment, buy the present, organize the drawer, floss, take the vitamin, do the exercises, get outside........I can't do it all in one day, but I can start somewhere. I can quit putting off something that will lighten my emotional load as soon as it is checked off the "list," and hopefully, I will be happier for it :)



2 comments:

tara said...

first- that picture is fabulous! and thank-you for the book recommendation! :)

Nancy Wyatt said...

Kristy, Thanks so much for stopping in at my blog lovestocreate.com! I just browsed your blog and I must say you are a wonderful blogger! I love your photos and you have such a beautiful family! I've added you to my follow list and look forward to getting to know a fellow Texan! p.s. loved the picture of your 365 project book!

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