Happy New Year, readers! You may have noticed a recent lack of posting from me–I do apologize but I have a good reason. In November, I participated in National Blog Post Month (NaBloPoMo), where you post every single day on your blog That was an awesome, challenging experience for me–but when it was done, I was tired and then the holidays hit! So, you know what that means–I went from a Blogging Maniac to a slacker.
photo by Kylee Baumle ourlittleacre.blogspot.com
Then it’s the New Year, and I didn’t do a 2011 retrospective or a list of resolutions. In general, I don’t like looking back, and resolutions (at least for me) are never really kept. So I decided to take a cue from nature and have one goal: Balance. When left to her own devices, Mother Nature will always strive for balance. Things, over time, balance out — droughts, rainfall, fires tend to be cyclical and, even though they can be short-term destructive, they often have long-term benefits.
“The famous balance of nature is the most extraordinary of all cybernetic systems. Left to itself, it is always self-regulated.” Joseph Wood Krutch (1893-1970)
I design, I write, I plant, I mother and I friend. Somewhere in there, I want to sleep well, live well and enjoy life. Doing any one thing too much–as I tend to do–knocks me off-balance. So this year is the Year of Balance. I promise myself to eat regularly, move regularly, see friends regularly, create regularly and work regularly. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? I know it’s not–it’s about day-to-day decisions that will lead to an overall quality of life that I have longed for, for a long time.
My work, both design and writing, revolves around nature. So I’ll take my cue from her and seek balance in my life–I know some days will be more balanced than others, and I know that this is a life-long lesson, but I’m in it for the long haul.
What about you all? How do you create balance in your lives? Is there something that reminds you daily to spread your focus out a bit? I’d love it if you share your thoughts–gardeners are some of the most generous people around, and I’m hoping that we can all benefit from the experiences of our friends.
And now–I’m done writing for the moment–time to get up, move and grab a bite to eat!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
This is the post that has made the most sense to me.
Thanks, Annie! It makes sense to me, too.
Jenny, I love the goal you have chosen for this year – it’s a simple mantra that’s universal in it’s application. The one thing that I do daily to create balance in my life is to go for a walk outdoors – even if it’s only for 20 minutes. I don’t think of it as exercise, it’s more of a moving meditation. It works to either focus my thoughts or clear my head completely – I guess it’s whichever my subconscious is craving! Give it a try, Jenny, and best of luck with your goal.
Wonderful post. I agree, we all need balance in our lives. For me, it is the simple things. Watching the birds at the feeder, reading a good book or having a cup of tea seems to help me find my balance. When I don’t have a moment for myself, things do seem out of sorts.
Thanks, Jocelyn! Since I work from home, that is an easy thing to incorporate. I make the same distinction with moving–some is exercise, some is meditative and some is just natural movement. Important to do all.
Thanks, Steph! I need time to myself as well–so much of my work is solitary that I sometimes forget to take “quality” alone time, though! Thanks for the reminder.