Sometimes you need to take a break, step outside, smell fresh air, have a cup of tea, and regroup.  Remember who you are, who you want to be, where you are going, and oh yeah…be happy RIGHT NOW!

There are times when the workload becomes overwhelming, not just in reality but sometimes only in our minds.  When you are waking in the middle of the night thinking and carrying on imaginary conversations with people, worrying, replaying, rewinding, and planning, when you should be sleeping.

You’re just not having any fun anymore.  Where’s the exhilaration and joy?

Yep, it’s that time.  Time for balance.  For me, I know that I can be much more productive in my work if I take time for menial activities like going to the farmers market, eating hibachi with the family, having a girls’ night, cooking outrageous food, and a little retail therapy never hurts either.  Honestly, I think for most people it boils down to taking “a little me time.”

I realized a long time ago that you can never effectively take care of other people without taking care of yourself.  Filling your cup, creating a little happiness within, will spill over to those around you.  I just take a moment to regroup and think, “What am I depriving myself of that really makes my heart sing?”  Strangely enough, even though I’m not a fitness guru, I NEED yoga.  I feel better, my body is happier, and I feel more balanced.  Hmm…exercise is good for the body, but “good for the soul?”

Something that makes me happy is cooking from scratch.  Most people loathe that idea.  But please don’t think I enjoy cleaning it up after, I try to persuade my husband that those banana muffins are SO worth a little cleanup, so we trade.  I spend the day in the kitchen whipping up healthy food, and he spends an hour cleaning it up.  Ok, sometimes he does.  Happy wife, happy life!

So last week, feeling like I’m caving in, I had to make some adjustments.  Create balance, stop depriving my spirit, and cancel an appointment or two.  And breathe.  Now, what will create a little peace and balance?  Decrease your workload by 30%, increase your fun by 30%, and your income will increase by 1000%.

I’m going to yoga, I’m cooking, and I’m making time to write.  Because it makes me happy.  When you are happy, the world is your oyster.

Don’t just sit there, go get happy!

Love and “sweet dreams”

LL