On Balance

Before I begin looking at the possibilities of a new year, I like to consider what was learned during the past year. The year began with my annual declaration of word or theme for the year. Balance has been the word that followed me through my ups, my downs, and everything in between. Balance changes from moment to moment, so in order to maintain balance, one must constantly shift and refocus. Here’s a look back on how I brought balance to the forefront this year?

• January found me getting my house in order by updating our legal documents.
• In February I discovered balance by moving forward and creating time in Training Wheels Not Included.
• March declared a New Chick On The Block by celebrating spring renewal.
• I examined Potholes when Reality Bites during April.
• By May I was finding a way to balance the physical in Use It or Lose It, and learned to combine the physical with the mental while maintaining a Warrior Pose.
• June had us all Dancing to Happy, and that about says it all, doesn’t it?
• In July I flew to North Carolina just to get my Glow On!
• August had us all peaking through the curtain in No Curtain Necessary.
• And by September, I was balancing my thoughts one step at a time by going for a walk.
• The cream came Rising to the Top in October.
• I recounted my struggle to find balance inside anger in November’s Excess Baggage.
• And last, but certainly not least, December - I shared my journey in the moments leading up to surgery in I've Got This.

With each theme I seem to become the word, or does the word become me? When the year ends, I find the word carries strength within me as I move forward from year to year. It is always there as a gentle reminder of who I intend to be. With that being said, I think Grateful for Being sums up my year of Balance.

I wish you peace and love in the New Year ...

I (heart) balancing rocks photo courtesy of James Jordan

The Kid’s Table

When gathering with family and friends to share a meal during the holidays, it’s not always easy trying to seat everyone at the same table. When I was a kid, there was a designated table for the children. This allowed adults to gather together in a semblance of peace. Mind you, the children’s table was not far.

At the children’s table we were able to chitter-chatter, make funny noises - as long as they weren’t loud enough for the adults to hear, and just be ourselves. Thinking about that now, those children, sitting at their designated table, did not have to deal with the magnitude of life adults deal with. Life was simple and straightforward at this table. We weren’t thinking about yesterday or tomorrow. It was all about now.

Sit at the kid’s table for a change this holiday season. If your request is denied, be as if you were sitting at the kid’s table. Go ahead, chitter-chatter, make funny noises and just be you. Don’t think about the problems of yesterday or what might happen tomorrow. Immerse yourself in the conversations around you even if you could care less; hug people you have not seen in a long time and those you have never met. Learn how to play a silly game and enjoy it. Celebrate and join in the fun. Find your inner kid this holiday season and sit yourself down at the kid’s table.

Kids at the kids table photo courtesy of madgerly

I’ve Got This

I had moved past the anger issues I felt when my abdominal surgery was scheduled. I went on a lovely European vacation and did not waste a moment on anger. In the days before the surgery, I informed my nearest and dearest as to what was going on. I asked them to send their wonderful, powerful thoughts and prayers my way the morning of the surgery. I also made sure my inner circle of loved ones knew they did not need to worry, because, I’ve got this. The outpouring of love and support aimed in my direction was amazing.

In the early morning hours prior to surgery, I took a moment to collect my thoughts and fill my heart with peace. On the drive to the hospital, I could feel a mounting surge of energy rise up within. Weird, I know, but take a look at that woman in the picture above. Does she look like someone heading to surgery?

Various surgical staff made preparations, and I was wheeled into the surgical hall. I felt as if I was floating above the cart with my loved ones supporting me. I was in glow mode by the time I rolled through the surgery suite doors. For what seemed to be the hundredth time that morning, I was asked what they were seeing me for. I remember tilting my head up so I could see everyone and announced, in detail, what they would be doing today. I was speaking loudly, as if in front of an audience, and I remember looking directly at each one of them. I noticed them nodding and smiling, like whoa, who is this? I could feel them saying, she's obviously got this! You should know, to this point, I had not been given any type of medication, just in case you were wondering.

In the moments prior to gently drifting to sleep, I felt lifted up by those wonderful, powerful thoughts and prayers aimed in my direction. It felt quite extraordinary, as if I had entered a surreal musical of sorts. I half expected this audience I had been addressing to break into song and dance. One of the surgical staff set my headphones into place and plugged me into my music. What was playing in my head during surgery? That would be baroque classics⎯the music to the very real surgery about to take place. When they began to sedate me, I remember thinking⎯I’ve got this!

It’s been seven weeks since the surgery, and I can honestly say the whole experience was incredible. What I felt the morning of the surgery was a big group hug of light, love, and energy. I can still feel the glow of that morning and know as I begin each day, I’ve got this!

Photo from my private collection.