BALANCE

In my life, the scales often tip heavily in one overwhelmed direction or another.  Sometimes aimlessly.  Sometimes purposefully.  I rarely notice until it is too late and it all comes crashing down. 

This reminds me of when I had my first flight lesson.  My dad was my first instructor and he was SO.  FRUSTRATED. with me.  At least I would have been frustrated with me! (he was a pretty calm dude).  I can still remember the first (and continuous) phrase he would repeat.  “Don’t let the helicopter get away from you.”  You see, flying a helicopter is a series of CONSTANT, tiny corrective inputs.

Imagine standing on a ball.  You can’t lean too far off to one side, because you will have gone too far (“dynamic rollover” in a helicopter), and you don’t have enough time to correct it before you fall. 

(oopsie.  Dynamic rollover in a Robinson R-22.  NOT ME!) 

Literally, you would crash a helicopter if not for constant attention and tiny corrections.  Figuratively, your life crashes when you just don’t pay attention and make changes, even small ones.

All that to say, I am striving for BALANCE in 2014.

I want to take good care of my body.  Keep on running and doing yoga.  Be healthy and strong – without getting all crazy about being as skinny as so-in-so, or as fast as whats-her-name.  Healthy, not obsessed.

I want to be presentable.  Keep on putting on a little makeup and wearing cute clothes  - without getting all crazy about not being seen in public without makeup, and not worrying if I have a messy house and inviting friends over anyway.  Presentable, not obsessed.

I want to read, play, and listen to my children.  Keep on volunteering when possible and reading, reading, reading – without getting all crazy about how many letters they know or screaming at them when they don’t put their shoes on fast enough.  Loving, not obsessed.

(one of my all-time fave comics)

I want to appreciate my husband more.  Start giving compliments, encouragements, and being present – without getting all crazy about what makes me mad and focusing on the negative crap.  Positive, not obsessed.

I want to enjoy things and experiences.  Focus on travel and family and friends – without overspending money on other random crap throughout the month (Target, I’m looking in your direction).  Giving, not spending.

Healthy, Presentable, Loving, Positive.  Giving.  BALANCED.

The only place where I want the scales to tip completely is with God.  I want to be sold out, worship fully, and love others because of His great grace.  Like this one song says, “I don’t have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way that He loves me.  Oh, how He loves us!”

Other areas where I have goals, dreams, and wishes in 2014:

Scrapbooking:

1.     Going to start Project Life for the year.  Read about what that is HERE.

2.     Getting on a manufactuer’s design team.  Trying, even if/when I fail.  And trying again.

Blogging:

1.     Actually doing it.  Scheduling time for myself to accomplish this. Aids in #2 goal above.

2.     Coming up with 2-3 weekly features.  And DOING it. J

Yoga:

1.     Going twice a week, rather than the one I currently attend.  It feels SOOOO GOOD.  If you don’t go, try it!

2.     Focusing enough to do an unassisted headstand.  (!!!)

Gratitude:

1.     Writing my blessings down.   Focusing on the positive.

2.     Trying for 1,000 gifts in 2014

Going to tackle all these items by not tackling them.  Just making tiny, constant corrections.  Course corrections that will change my landing spot entirely.  Here’s to a great 2014!

I would love to hear from anyone out there in the Internets. 

Do you have some goals? Resolutions? Some desire for BALANCE?

Let me know!

Making tiny corrections,

Stacey