Personal Balance
Equals Family Balanceby Dave Lesinski
If you’re not careful, the stress from life could be like carrying a heavy bag of groceries from the car to the kitchen. You’re so focused on getting the bag to the kitchen counter without it ripping open that you don’t fully notice the beautiful flowers growing in the garden, the bright blue sky, or the family member requesting your attention. Attempting to successfully carry this weight grasps too much of your attention, preventing you from being fully present and available to the needs of the people you love most.
Currently, many people are in the midst of a massive transition. You may have noticed that everyone seems to be in the middle of some sort of shift in their life. While some are experiencing the changes more subtly, others are experiencing emotions never before felt, massive shifts in personal awareness and life situations requiring heavy decision making.
At times like this, you must remember that while life transitions can be challenging, frustrating, and un-grounding, they typically are for the better and things generally work out well for all involved. During these times of transition, you must remember to nurture yourself. You shouldn’t forget that the key to being the best family member or friend is by first taking care of yourself. This is certainly the most unselfish approach to take.
Start by first attending to how you’re feeling and truly noticing how healthy and balanced you are physically and emotionally. If you are “off balance,” then take the time you need to address the imbalance. This can be done in many different ways.
Sometimes finding balance can be simple. You can take a calm walk in nature, schedule time to meditate, have fresh flowers around, or enjoy a bath with your favorite essential oils. You may feel better from just sitting for 10 minutes while sipping on some tea and listening to your favorite music.
If this isn’t enough, splurge on a massage, relaxing yoga class, holistic medicine consult, or any other style of personal care you enjoy! You’re lucky to live at a time in which many different holistic styles of balancing and healing are available.
You may have to work with family members and friends to schedule the time you need to stay balanced and healthy. This time to yourself is crucial if you want to stay healthy, present, and fully available to your family and friends. You can’t forget this core principal; if you’re not at your best, those closest to you are indeed negatively impacted. Luckily, this principal works in both directions. When taking the time you need to stay balanced and healthy, your family is strongly impacted for the better. It makes sense—they’re getting the most vibrant and healthy you!
Nurture yourself so this transition can be the smoothest and most positive transformation of your life. And always remember, you and your family deserve it.Dave Lesinski, M.A. Ed., RYT-200, Ayurvedic Consultant, spent the last 10 years teaching children with severe emotional impairment using traditional teaching methods coupled with a spiritual practice. He has been supporting adults as an Ayurvedic Consultant for the last three years. He enjoys working with people of all ages in bringing more peace and harmony into their lives. For more information, please visit www.yogablendseven.com.