Tips towards Energy

So...It is the first of the year and I am thinking about HOW I am going to add energy to my life this year as my ONE WORD for 2015 is ENERGY.  I know this... I need to start with follow through.  Don't get me wrong...I am very responsible and make sure that things get done.  I always try to give over 100% whenever possible.  The thing that I am noticing is that I give 100% to my teaching and preparation for my students as a teacher, but I do not really give 100% to life.  What life?  Time reading, time with my wife, time with family, time working out, time writing, and so on.  I know...Time does not take energy.  That is my issue.  I don't give the time because I don't want to give half-way!  I want to give with energy.  So this means I give less and less time because I am "not in the mood" to give the energy to make things count as they should.

I decided to make a list of Helpful tips for myself...to follow.  Sounds stupid?  I am not sure.  Maybe. I am a list person...so this might be what I need to start thinking about it.  Therapy in a list.  That is what I need.  For tonight anyway!

*  Make routines again and make sure that you start with ONE thing at a time.

* DO NOT stop from doing something because you don't feel that the energy is there...the energy might actually be there!

*  Be patient.  Just because 100% is not available, doesn't mean that 70% is a failure!

* Celebrate the small steps!

* Enjoy the journey!

* DO NOT celebrate the failures!

Well, here it goes.  We will see how these small steps help me to focus on my journey towards energy.  I am not planning on failing.  70% sounds like failure, but I need to re-start somewhere.

Peace.

Mark

My 2015 Word is Energy!

Peace All.

For the past few years, I have been prompted to choose ONE word that represents my focus for the year.  For 2015, my word will be ENERGY!

Why ENERGY?

I wouldn't say that I have been lazy this past year, but I would very much say that the amount of physical and mental energy that I have given my endeavors has been less than 100%.  I realize this.  I want more.  I want to give more.  Maybe not even more...but different.  I want to give and create with energy!

Please consider following my journey into energy.  See where and how it takes me.  Offer advice or words of encouragement.

Peace.

Mark

Balancing Balance

Although I have not been writing this past week (I have had a terrible chest issue), I certainly have not stopped thinking about Balance.  I have not forgotten to live balance either.

As I was thinking about balance, I realized that even balance needs to be balanced at some points.  What do I mean?  Sometimes you need to take a break from balance and go off in only one direction! Live lopsided for a while!  Everything in moderation...unless it is time to take a break.  Balance your work, unless it is time for a vacation and just play!  We all need a break from things.

This reminds me of many vacations that I have had where, even though the vacation was fantastic...it was exhausting!  I needed a break from my vacation!  Often, my break consists of going back to work.  I crave the scheduled life.  Without the routine, I fall apart.  Talk about unbalance...I could not be more unbalanced if I tried!

So...can I have a world of balance where balance is the only stance of my life?  Ouch!  I am not a monk...even though I have always had a dream of being a Buddhist Monk.  Balance takes work.  Even though my goal for this year is to make balance second-nature...I do not see it being so intense that I must be perfect at it.  That is too much pressure.  That is not balance.

Balance.

As I think about balancing balance...the only standard that I feel I need to be relying on is the balance of time.  As long as my time is balanced...I can have a break from balance knowing that after the alarm sounds...I can return to balance refreshed, renewed, and rejuvenated.

My friend and co-worker Maria supplied my image for today's post.  Thanks Maria.

As I look at this animal balancing on such a small object, I am reminded that balance can be achieved through focus.  This animal obviously is not thinking about dinner or traffic, or even the economy and job market.  Although he...or she...is focused, the ball can represent the floor of a gymnasium.  As long as there is a place to put the feet, plant them firmly and focus.  Balance.

Peace.

Mark.

Balancing the word "NO"

In my quest for balance in my life, I recall a time where I was too weak to say the word NO.  This got me into a lot of trouble.  I over-committed, and spread myself so thin, often double-booking my time and never taking care of myself.  To get better at saying the word, NO...it has taken me a lot of time.  It has also taken getting over the guilt that I felt when I used the word.  I felt selfish.

Now, that I am maybe 80% healed of the issue and can say NO most of the time, I need balance to finish the job.  Don't get me wrong, it is often very fine to say YES.  Saying YES often makes you a good, giving person.  What I am left with in the saying NO department...I think is a pretty common dilemma.

Balance.

At work.  I think saying NO often feels like you are cutting out opportunities.  "If I say no, I may never be asked again" is what comes to mind.  I like making opportunities for myself, not ending them.  Maybe though, this is my issue.  Because I am so worried about closing the door to opportunities, I am afraid to say no.  MOST of the time, there are consequences.  I am often hearing myself saying, "Man, it was a good idea at the time" about times that I have said yes.

The reality is that I always have way too many opportunities.  Maybe I won't die if I let go of some of them and focus on the ones that matter...the ones that I have created on purpose?

Socially.  I often forget how to say NO because I don't want to let people down.  Sometimes it even equates to rescuing those that need me.  Sure...it feels good to help others.  I do that for me.  Saying YES though, often takes some of me that I would have preferred not to have given.

I know there is a balance here.  I admit, I am way better today than I was 15 years ago.

Family.  Do I really want to go here?  Again, I have become much better at this.  In fact, I think my family has gotten better at this together.  I often find myself begging to help family members...to the point of intrusion.  I am sure I can help my father more with little complaints from him though.

Balance.

So where does this fit in with my quest for balance?  Simply...if I balance agreeing to doing things for other, I will have more time to work on the other pieces I strive to balance for myself.  Selfish?  I hope not.  I am sure I don't have to worry about it.  If I find myself saying NO too much, I am sure I will be called on it.

Peace.

Mark.