Friday, April 6, 2012

What's Your Inbox Telling You?


"In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth."

April is here and with it, a little snow, a little sun, tentative buds, brave crocuses, and the happiness of knowing warm weather is comin’ with all it’s implications of rebirth, growth and drinks on the deck!


Out of curiosity, I made a list of links to the affirmations, posts and newsletters I read daily. What an  eye opener. Here's what's dominating my inbox:                                                                                    
The list tilts heavily to personal coaching topics. And I'm interested in so many things! Where are the artsy musings? Latest science discoveries? And why don't I have funny stuff rolling in like thunder??? I get some gardening, yoga, home improvement, cooking, coupon, clothing sales stuff. But the real meaty stuff is this link list. Am I out of balance or is it a matter of what’s on the front burner with the others simmering behind to be pulled forward when it’s time to give ‘em a stir? That's the image that feels right. On a really large stovetop. Gas.

Everyday I reevaluate what will bring me back to center. Self employment brings with it the freedom and challenge of choosing what to do every single day. And as much as I've tried structures that are designed so I pay equal attention to each area I love, guess what. They're not my children! They'll always be there, patiently waiting, kind of like my dog in the morning. And structures tend to bring out the outlaw in me. I might use a pie chart of my week or a stupid to-do list for a few days, then I rebel and do what the *!#^ I want. The truth is, what needs to get done gets done, nudged forward by a deadline. The whole idea of jumping off the ship of a structured job was to get into a Flow, really feel the freedom of choice and balance this with getting things done. 


Once I figured out how to get safe and secure in my head about money, (a whole other topic to be discussed later), I could put my passion on the front burner. On Power Boil. At first I thought this was my coaching business. But then I remembered the #1 reason I left my teaching career - to start taking really good care of myself; to borrow a phrase from a favorite Life Coach Cheryl Richardson , I am now able to practice Extreme Self Care. This was the key to having the mental and physical strength to transform myself into a business owner. And a better artist, home owner, gardener, cook, friend, lover and dog owner.


But in all seriosity, would someone PLEASE send me something funny to look at each morning? I thrive on a good belly laugh. The balancing act is ongoing and I’d like to picture myself at the gigantic stove, stirring, sauteing, tasting and laughing.