The year 2004 was one of the worst of my life. In January, my mom passed away after a long illness. Extended working hours, changes in my job and illness in my family all contributed to making the year one I would rather forget.
By the time the 31st December 2004 rolled around, there were three events that stood out as wonderful oases within the dry desert. We took a wonderful holiday in July; surprisingly, my 40th birthday in November was an amazing highlight and Christmas 2004 was probably our best ever.
As I stood on the brink of 2005, a few thoughts passed through my mind. What if 2005 was 2004 all over again? What if it turned out to be another very bad year? It wasn’t impossible. You just don’t know what is around the next corner. I decided that whatever 2005 bought with it, I was going to put myself in the very best position to cope with it.
As I turned 40, my life was full. I was busy and working 12 hour days on a regular basis. Add to that the pleasures of being a wife and mom, there was no time for me and I felt I was constantly treading water, barely keeping my head above the pond. I was also 10kg overweight and I felt I was losing control of myself.
I decided to take 2 weeks off over Christmas and New Year. It was the perfect decision. The first week was organizing Christmas and enjoying it. During the second week I did very little. I spent the days just chilling and doing so little that I wondered if I had made a mistake about taking the time off. It seemed wasted! I couldn’t have been further from the truth. That 2nd week set me up for the year ahead in a way I would never have believed.
As I got more relaxed, I got more creative. I became more focused. My thoughts became more organized and by the time it was back at work, I was ready.
I had a new eating plan, arranged my schedule to include a load of exercise, planned my time to ensure plenty of rest and moved immediately into a hard and fast routine that enabled me to maintain my natural hair colour way into my 40s! No stress here!
As the days passed and weeks became months, I began to see the fruit of that 2nd week pay dividends over and over again, to such an extent that this writing became part of the result. I immediately shed a few kilograms, started toning up with all the exercise, felt less stressed. I was working no more than 8 hours a day, I was getting a lot of rest, spending a whole stack of time with my family and I can guarantee you, I was a much, much nicer person for Mike to come home to. With the weight loss and additional fitness, I also had a lot more energy.
Often in the months that followed, I would ask Mike if he could see the difference. Every time the answer was a definite YES.
This was the right thing to do.
I had achieved a vital ingredient in my life. It was an ingredient that I didn’t know was missing. I had achieved BALANCE.
From abblifequest.com
It was an amazing, liberating feeling. I felt so good, in body, mind and spirit. It is without doubt the most profitable thing that I could have done for both my family and my work. They all were getting the very best of me and I was extremely happy.
With balance in my life, I realized that with God’s help, I need never again react in the negative way that I had to the circumstances that I had faced that year. The same goes for you. You don’t know what life holds. You don’t know what unexpected events are around the next corner, but you will discover that by looking after yourself, whether you’re husband or a wife, you will be able to look after all the other issues that come your way. Having a balanced life may not change negative circumstances that come your way, but it will enable you to cope with them better.
For me the balance led to an already happy marriage becoming even happier.
5 Ways to Balance
- Exercise
- Eat Right
- Pace Yourself
- Spend more Time With Your Spouse.
- Take Care of Your Spiritual Needs.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂