written by: Angie

I love this photo that my husband took. As I looked through these photos of this talented ballerina, I am amazed at her ability to balance on any surface under any circumstance. It got me thinking about our lives and the ways we can get balance back into this busy world.

After I had my daughter, everything was out of balance. I was not in a good place. I will go into detail in a separate post, but it was Paisley’s birth that brought the anxiety, depression, and some pretty dark and scary days into my life. A few months after giving birth I was diagnosed with post traumatic stress syndrome and my Dr.  pretty much forced me into counseling, which I am forever grateful. I think everyone in the entire world needs counseling, it was so therapeutic and I learned so much about myself, and why I feel certain ways at certain times. I want to talk about balance and how we can achieve a balanced life. This is one of the biggest and greatest lessons I took from my sessions. There are a few major components to living a balanced life, they are Physical Health, Mental Health, and Spiritual Health. I like to add a couple of my own components to make 5 total. My additions are Self Worth and Relationships. In fact, you can add your own additional components that you believe will help you with a balanced life. The wonderful thing about balance and happiness is it comes from within and we are all different, therefore happiness is different for each of us. It’s really a simple choice that we all have each day.

Physical health, how is yours? Are you tired all the time? Do you have energy to accomplish all your daily tasks? How do you feel? Do you get sick often? Do you realize what a blessing it is to get out of bed each day on your own? Many people can not do that. To have mobile bodies, to be able to drive, cook your own food, and take your own shower. These are huge blessings that are taken for granted every single day. If you have a body that can exercise daily, then you better get up and start exercising. I don’t care if it’s 10 minutes a day. You owe it to your body. Your body spoils you, give it some love and take care of it. The second part of this is healthy eating. I’m a huge believer in balance when it comes to food. I eat everything {other than chocolate} in moderation. I’ve never been successful at completely giving up anything for good. I went a year with out sugar when I was 20, and I gained 15 pounds,  so I gave up the idea of getting rid of things for good. Food is such a delicacy. It’s gorgeous and so pleasurable! It is also the fuel that makes us move. If we look at food in a different way, than it is easier to make wise choices when it comes to food.

Here are a couple tips for healthy eating:

1. Try juicing. The benefits are endless. Juice gives you energy, brightens your skin, and its packed with vitamins and nutrients.
2. There are loads of recipes and healthy eaters online to follow. Check out these ladies on instagram and try a few of their recipes; @goldfenger and @bigcitydreamerblog.
3. Find healthy foods that you enjoy eating. Just because kale is healthy and the rest of the world is obsessed with it,  doesn’t mean you have to eat it. I hate kale unless it’s in my juice. Find foods that are healthy that you actually enjoy eating, and then find recipes with those foods.

Mental health. How is yours? Are you constantly feeling low? Do you feel alone or do you feel like you don’t get the support you need from those close to you? Do you feel scared often? Are you constantly putting yourself down or saying negative things about your finances, career, friends, body, spouse, etc? If so, you need to work on the garden of your mind. Here are some ways to balance your thinking.

1. Read a positive quote each day. Sounds cheesy I know, but it helps to start your day of with something positive.
2. Clear your mind of negative thoughts with affirmations. I do these throughout the day, each day. Depending on what your going through and what you need mentally you can start with affirmations such as; I am worth it. I am living a life full of purpose. I am patient. I am full of love, etc. Affirmations are an incredible way to not only change your mind set, but to quickly change your mood and attitude. Just by saying words like peace and serenity in your mind will calm you down.
3. Meditate and do yoga. Go outside and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth as you concentrate on only your breath and nothing else, but the air flowing in and out of your lungs.
4. If you are feeling these feelings daily, then I recommend getting counseling. You won’t regret it and you are worth the expense and the time.
5. Write a gratitude list. I keep mine on the phone and add a little to it when ever I think of something I’m grateful for. Whenever I am down, I look at it and I am quickly reminded of how blessed life is.

Spiritual Health is a huge part of you, wether you believe in anything or not. Spirituality lives inside us all. Here are some tips to balance your spirituality.

1. Pray. I don’t care if you pray to the stars or if you pray to God, just pray and pray hard and often. It will bring you peace, joy, enlightenment, and direction.
2. Worship whomever or whatever you worship with all of your being. Don’t be on the fence with your beliefs. When you dedicate your whole heart to your belief system great and miraculous things happen.

Self worth. I added this one, because when I feel like a loser, my chain gets a major kink in it. Here are some ways to assist in your self worth.

1. Write down all of your accomplishments. This could be anything. I consider growing a successful garden a huge accomplishment or even just getting the kids dressed, fed, and out the door on time. Be creative with this and don’t cut yourself short. You are constantly doing great things, so acknowledge all the awesomeness that you do.
2. Look in the mirror and I say “I love you”. Even if you have to pull a Stuart Smalley and say “I’m good enough”, “Im smart enough”, and doggone it people like me”, then by all means do so.
3. Thank yourself for all you do. Sometimes we don’t get thanked as often as we feel like we should. Your spouses, kids, friends, and co-workers might take advantage of all the wonderful things you do. Well, thank yourself and treat yourself to some chocolate. Give yourself a pat on the back for all that you accomplish today, it will feel good.

Relationships. This is a big one for me, when my relationships are out of whack it sort of throws everything of balance. Here are some ways to mend as well as strengthen relationships with the ones you love.

1. Forgive and ask for forgiveness. This is a toughie for us all and it’s tough on both ends, but it is crucial for successful relationships. Forgiveness is what makes any relationship continue, because it will always be needed.
2. Do nice things for those you love and give them your full attention. Turn off the phone and give your kids and your spouse some quality time. Erase your social media apps off your phone for a few days and revert back to living in the present moment with the ones you love most.
3. Enjoy life with your friends and family. Spend time exploring this gorgeous earth. Be adventurous and get some dirt on those knees. Your kids will love it and your loved ones will always remember those adventurous moments.
4. Write notes. I love sending and receiving hand written notes. There is something so inviting and warm about them.

Finding balance is a life long journey. Life is awesome.  Life wants us to be incredible, and life will always find ways for us to witness the incredible and to be challenged. Thankfully we were made to be challenged and we were also made to kick challenges in the bootie. You are awesome and I love you. Not even kidding when I say that. You are my brothers and my sisters and I love you.

Hope on. Journey on.

Angie