Life Balance is Fake News.
It wasn’t working for me. At all.
This whole LIFE BALANCE deal. I have spent too much energy and guilt on trying to achieve the answer to a “problem” that can not be solved. MY LIFE IS NOT AN EQUATION.
So I spent months researching, thinking, contemplating and soul strategizing to find an answer to my “life balance” issues. I felt a responsibility to get my shit together so that I could authentically model how I ROCK MY LIFE on my OWN TERMS. I cried. I ate. I wrote. And most importantly I LISTENED. To the beautiful souls sharing their life stories with me. To the women connecting via email and FB. And to MYSELF.
One night while cuddling with my youngest princess my TRUTH came to me. IT’S NOT ABOUT LIFE BALANCE. IT’S ALL ABOUT MY EVOLUTION. And so the 13 Elements to Flourish were born.
Our spirits know no difference between our professional and personal lives. Our limited time on earth is ONE EXPERIENCE. Any equation that asks of you to steal from one side to balance the other involves diminishing joy and fulfillment in the process of calculations. The theoretical concept of Life Balance was not working for me. Is it working for you? From what I hear from sooooo many of you. IT IS NOT.
There is no balance. In fact throw that idea out the window. Our lives are a journey of evolution.
When we resist our evolution we restrict our possibilities. When we are open, flexible & adaptable to the evolution of who we are we attract fun and happiness.
Like the Periodic Table of Elements, the 13 Elements to Flourish are raw and pure and can be combined, in different levels at different times to achieve an eclectic mix of life experiences. Here’s the key: We need to have all of these elements present in all aspects of our lives (on some level).
When we feel something is amiss or that we are lost, that indicates an Element Scarcity. As we evolve this naturally happens. AND THAT’S OKAY. Play around with the elements and increase ones that you feel resonate with your spirit. If it feels right and makes a difference you are on the right track. Remain open to the changes in your life circumstances and to the ongoing development of WHO YOU ARE.
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE 13 ELEMENTS TO FLOURISH
1. love. everything begins and ends with love. love for others and for yourself. seek, give & BE love.
2. fun. we live in a culture of busy. plan for fun. schedule opportunities to do something that makes you smile. laugh. let go. live it up. this is part one of your MOJO.
3. intimacy. true intimacy originates from a place of vulnerability with yourself. be present with your hurts without becoming them. when you are connected to your deepest thoughts and beliefs you are in a position to manage them before they manage you.
4. courage. in every aspect of your life be working on manifesting one goal that requires courage. get your heart racing with adrenalin. stir up your mojo. courage always leads to confidence, regardless of the outcome of your courageous act. courage is also being open to your ongoing evolution.
5. commitment. momentum requires commitment. discipline. the desire to honour your word to yourself and others. no way around this one. with that said….and this is very important….commitment here is grounded on being loyal to your evolution first and your goals second.
6. passion. what gets you excited? what are you doing when you don’t notice time passing? you know your passion. perhaps you have become disconnected with it but it is an integral part of who you are and it is necessary to flourish. you can only ignore passion for so long before you feel detached, distant and disillusioned. passion is your souls energy. passion steers your purpose. passion is part two of your MOJO.
7. generosity. this element does not require your expertise, time or money. raw generosity is based on the sharing of who you authentically are. everyday interactions, in all aspects of your life, ask of you to express your compassion, humour, quirks and love. being generous with your spirit is how you pay rent for being on this earth.
8. connection. grow your community. surround yourself with people who are actively supporting the best version of you. invest your time and energy in these people. they help fill up your resiliency cup to manage those who do not always have the best intentions.
9. health. this element is based on nutrition and strength, moderation and movement.
10. respect. respect originates with how you think. so think through the lens of compassion, empathy, kindness and love. for others and yourself. most importantly, wake up in the morning expecting respect.
11. gratitude. authentic gratitude is grounding. fulfillment is not possible without the intense connections between who you are, what you have and how accepting/grateful you are to have it.
12. faith. all faith, be it spiritual or religious, requires belief in what can not be seen. this element is based on the belief that destiny is unfolding as it should and when it should. it is the delicate yet unwavering bridge between what is and what will be. never ever, ever, place faith in yourself in the hands of others.
13. hope. all forward, positive, momentum requires hope. it is the roaring fire or dimly flickering flame that offers light in our darkest moments. hope is also the icing on our most joyous and fulfilling experiences. life is hope.
Remember, while every element needs to be present in all aspects of your life….you can play around with the focus and intensity of each one.
