A New Year- A New Me?

This is me! 

The new year, 2014 is now upon us and I have only one resolution and that is to be myself!
This train of thought began one day at the pool.  I was getting ready to teach one of my first aqua fitness classes in many years.  I was nervous, distracted, worried and wondering, Will I measure up?  Aloud I said, "I am a little nervous and rusty, but I hope you enjoy your class."
One of the patrons said, "Just be yourself."  And that got me thinking about my life and how for many, many years I tried to be someone other than who I am. I wanted to be prettier, thinner, smarter, faster, happier and better. I am slowly coming to realize that I am human with as many strengths as weaknesses.

• I am a people pleaser. I want others to be happy, sometimes to the detriment of my own happiness.
• I am  a perfectionist. I want to be perfectly right all the time to the point that I sometimes ignore the good advice of others.
• I am organized. I usually want everything to go my way so it is better to do everything myself.
• I am often uptight. Many years ago, one of the swimmers on the team I coached gave me this T-shirt displaying "You Otter Relax".
• I am moody. I swing from extraordinarily happy to unpleasantly sad.

The list goes on and on but the point of it all is that I have two choices: I can choose either to change or to accept the way I am. The Serenity Prayer comes to mind:

God grant me 

the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, 

the courage to change the things I can and 

the wisdom to know the difference. 

When I reviewed the list above I realized suddenly that balance is the key. So I asked Ask.com the definition of a balanced lifestyle and found this helpful information:

A balanced lifestyle basically means taking a thorough inventory of one's life, managing time and making adjustments where there is a need.  It essentially adds up to living reducing stress levels associated with the demands of life.  One can live a balanced lifestyle by getting sufficient exercise, resting enough, eating healthy and finding time to relax.

And that is exactly what my T-shirt reminds me to do, I really ought to relax because a balanced life is good!

Balance is the key!

Wishing you health, happiness and balance in 2014!

Until next time, 

Bee Rich

Life Work Balance

Notice the look of contentment!

          Today was a Wednesday, the middle of busy week. It proved to be a day to appreciate the balance of life and work.  I was called to teach for a half day at a school about 45 minutes away from home. The class was a group of older students, which seems to be my calling lately.  The morning flew by, despite some intermediately-sized annoyances.  Upon reflection, I was the best I could be. 
          On the way home I followed-up on some business- filling the car with gas, shopping for a gifts for a special someone, stopping for a haircut at First Choice, renewing my drivers licence and health card, and mailing the final few Christmas cards.
          Upon my return home I checked emails, registered for a math workshop, and received two phone calls from my husband, requesting me to run two errands. The two dogs needed some attention, so I loaded them in the car and we drove off to the nearby town to shop.
          While in the grocery store I recognised two students from two different occasional teaching jobs.  This was the first such experience in my new role.  As I drove back home from the grocery store I thought to myself, This has been a successful day- I am feeling balanced- I am content.
          The day did not stop there. There was a text from our daughter-in-law wanting to Skype at 7:00 pm, two phone calls from our daughter in Scotland, a call from a neighbour, and two important telephone messages.  In the meantime the two dogs went for a romp in the front yard and only one returned, so I took a flashlight outside in search of her whereabouts. 
         At 7:45 pm, I called the neighbours, to let them know that I could look after their daughter on Thursday (their daycare had to close due to illness).  However, in the middle of that conversation, I received a call to teach for the whole day on Thursday. 
         So now, I am awake at 2:00 am, reflecting on yesterday and hoping to be able to get back to sleep in preparation for tomorrow's skating field trip with a primary class! Life is good!

Until tomorrow,

Bee Rich

Some days are busier than others!

        

What Does it Mean to "Really Live"?

          This thought provoking quote came on my Facebook homepage a few weeks ago. It is particularly meaningful to me at this stage in my life. Put simply, here are its main messages for me:

• Live a healthy, balanced lifestyle- work some, play some, make a difference in some one's life
• Live in the present, not worrying about the future- be thankful for each new day
• Live knowing that this could be your last- there are no guarantees

I hope that this makes some sense to you.

Until next time,

Bee Rich