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When, at some point in our lives, we meet a real tragedy —which could happen to any one of us — we can react in two ways. Obviously, we can lose hope, let ourselves slip into discouragement, into alcohol, drugs, and unending sadness. Or else we can wake ourselves up, discover in ourselves an energy that was hidden there, and act with more clarity, more force.

-The Dalai Lama

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.
-Confucius

We all have a choice in life’s struggles… stay where you are or grow from it. Stay in the pit or get out. Stay in the dark or come into the light. Be alone or be with others. Be defeated or have hope. Be bitter or forgive. This week, make the choice to pull up your bootstraps and climb out of the pit.
Then surround yourself with beauty, life and love.
–susie lee

“You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters? She’s not perfect – you aren’t either, and the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can. She may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break – her heart. So don’t hurt her, don’t change her, don’t analyze and don’t expect more than she can give. Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she’s not there.”
-Bob Marley On How To Love A Woman

“It is love that fashions us into the fullness of our being-not our look, not our work, not our wants, not our achievements, not our parents, not our status, not our dreams.  These are all the fodder and the filler, the navigating fuels of our lives; but it is love:  who we love, how we love, why we love and that we love which ultimately shapes us.”
-Daphne Rose Kingma

Love unconditionally. Always.
-Susie Lee

I’d like to add an amendment to my last article, Setting Goals Can Be Life Changing or Paralyzing. If you’re already feeling a little stressed out by juggling your newfound goals with keeping a balanced life, perhaps it’s wise to step back and re-evaluate or re-prioritize older ones. Rather than just ‘adding’ new goals to your schedule why not take away unrelated or unnecessary ones?  This helps us recognize our limitations and the risk of burning out.

It’s also important to keep in mind that having a ‘balanced’ life looks different on each person because everyone has different capabilities, strengths, energy and resources. Comparing yourself to someone else is unproductive and sometimes harmful, and will only make you feel worse.

While it’s commendable to pursue goals, it’s not meant to be a burden to stress you out. This would defeat the purpose of it. The intent of goals is to contribute not to hinder. Feeling stressed or overwhelmed will affect your overall wellbeing. In time, you will recognize personal steps you need to take to find the balance within and operate out of that place.

Here are just a few things I do to prevent burn out:

• Being kind to myself: in thought, word and deed.
• Taking a long, soothing, uninterrupted bath.
• Knowing when some things just have to wait another day.
• Not being at the beck and call of my phone or computer.
• Sometimes, saying “No”. Tough love, for me and for others.
• 8 hours of sleep + exercise + eating healthy = great mood.
• Taking time for myself (read, write, get a massage).
• Listening to my body. It’s a great stress indicator.
• Forgiving. Not holding grudges. Letting go.
• Feeling my feelings and acknowledging them.
• Connecting with my girlfriends weekly for support, love and encouragement.
• Having fun. Playing games. Listening to music. Watching movies.
• Breathing deeply. Chewing slowly. Laughing loudly.
• Being thankful. Being positive. Being hopeful.
• Love. Love. Love.

I encourage you to create a preventative list for yourself and enjoy practicing it often. It will ground you, keep you sane and surprisingly you’ll become more productive as you enjoy life along the way.

QUESTIONS & CONVERSATIONS:
What’s on your preventative list?
What does balance look like for you?
What are some things you’re adding & dropping?

© 2012 Susie Lee