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Why?
Why is it so important for us to think about our authentic voices? Why do we need to find time, practice choice management, step out of our comfort zones, and live our dreams?
What They Tell Us
Society and the voices inside our heads, sometimes tell us not to bother. They tell us…
- We may fail,
- We will get stuck in analysis paralysis,
- We may not make money following our passions,
- We may find ourselves in an embarrassing situation,
- We may get consumed with our dreams and end up spending less time with friends and family.
Don’t Listen
I say, don’t listen to those voices! We can choose to balance our authentic lives with all the other roles and responsibilities we have on our plates! Think about the consequences if we do not embrace our authentic voices and we do not focus on life balance.
- Are we just walking through life?
- Are our days purposeless?
- Did we have the opportunity and let it slip by?
So Many Benefits
Think about the benefits and the joy of living our authentic voices, finding time to live our passions, and focusing on life balance!
- Working towards a dream is actually living the dream.
- Our days will be filled with meaning and purpose.
- We will respond proactively to stress in our lives.
- We will prioritize and honor our needs and passions.
- We will feel a stronger sense of wellness and wellbeing.
- We will be open to contentment and fulfillment.
- We will be empowered to choose how we spend our “free” time.
If Not Now When? This is Your Moment!
- Is there something missing in your life because you can’t seem to find the time to fit it into your busy schedule?
- If yes, what is it?
- What are the reasons for not choosing to incorporate this into your life?
- If your other roles and responsibilities were removed from your life, what would your authentic self choose to do?
- What is stopping you?
Redefining the word Balance: Creating space in your life to listen to and celebrate your natural inner wisdom.
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Our authentic voice, Stacey…why does it sometimes remain hidden? Great thought for today.
Our schedules are busy – is that a valid excuse, though, for not finding that voice? I don’t think so. We choose what gets our time. So, we can choose to honor our authentic voice, or not. To find it, or not. To embrace it, or not.
What holds us (me) back? Fear, probably…if I’m being honest. Fear of not knowing, fear of (lack of) acceptance, fear of “being different”.
That said, I am embracing that voice anyway. Many great things lie ahead!
Lances last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day
Hi Stacey
There have been times when I have not known what my authentic voice is, there have been times when my authentic voice has been drowned out, but I’ve always found that when I let it shine through, I suddenly have more time, energy and zest for all other parts of my life.
Juliet
LifeMadeGreat | Juliets last blog post..Are You Seeing Your Opportunity In The Economic Downturn?
“I say, don’t listen to those voices! We can choose to balance our authentic lives with all the other roles and responsibilities we have on our plates!”
I agree. I took a few years’ break when my kids were little. But looking back, I’m sure I could have kept advancing my career. It was a choice to stop everything and concentrate on being a mom, but I did pay a price – being a full time mom for a few years and doing nothing for yourself is hard!
Vered – MomGrinds last blog post..Most Flattering Jeans
1. Is there something missing in your life because you can’t seem to find the time to fit it into your busy schedule?
I really cannot think of anything missing in my life.
2. If yes, what is it?
Not applicable
3. What are the reasons for not choosing to incorporate this into your life?
Not applicable
4. If your other roles and responsibilities were removed from your life, what would your authentic self choose to do?
Exactly what I am doing now.
5. What is stopping you?
Nothing.
I am not exaggerating, I am now in retirement and believe that under the circumstances, I am living a life of fulfillment and contentment.
rummusers last blog post..BlogCrash – Community Forum
Lance – Letting fear stop us is real and is something that needs attention. I’m happy to hear you are embracing your authentic voice in the face of fear.
Juliet – Welcome to the Create a Balance community! This blog is for every person who has experienced watching their authentic voice be drowned out. Finding the strength to let your voice shine is when we truly live.
Vered – Like you, I recognize the importance of raising and taking care of our children. But I do believe that “doing nothing for yourself” is harmful and that there is a way to create a balance! Letting moms know they are not alone is a great first step.
Rummuser – Looks like you have found the joy of contentment and fulfillment. That is something to celebrate.
Life balance is easier said than done – especially when you’re trying to “have it all”.
I think mothers are the most likely candidates for living life “out of balance” – after all, you’re not only trying to achieve life balance for yourself – but for your children as well! Talk about keeping multiple plates spinning all at once!
However, there is no greater reward for modeling life balance than to watch your children grow and practice it unconsciously in their own lives!
The list of your “So Many benefits” are my answer to why I should focus on life balance.
I’m doing what I love to do right now by paying attention to my inner voice, therefore I found that I’m happier even though life is tougher!
Kathy – It is easier said than done, but with the right techniques practicing the art of life balance is possible. When I think about life balance in my own life, I often remember that I am modeling behaviors for my children.
BC – Well stated. Happiness is a choice.
It is so hard with 2 little kids Stacey. I understand why Vered took time off – I am trying to “do something for myself” while completely taking off (I cannot seem to do that) – but it is getting incredibly hard. There is just not enough time in the day ….and the kids need to be fed and I need the sleep
I have decided that my start-up at geekdance.com will move a little slower than I like – but I will have to live with that. I have too much invested in the thinkmaya blog to give that up – and it really gives back a LOT – and I love the community.
It is confusing – sometimes I feel like I need SOOO much
– I need my home and family for security and inspiration, my thinkmaya blog for community and my startup to exploration, learning and achievement ….so I guess I have to live with moving a little slow 
Maya – It is hard with 2 little ones. I know firsthand. Each day I need to choose between blogging/writing and exercising. I can’t seem to get both during the same day. I am aware of this and I’m thinking about ways to get both into my life. My current solution is that I need to comment less on other people’s blogs.
In regards to the kids needing to be fed, my next challenge is to not only feed them, but to feed them fresh healthy food (I want to stop using my microwave b/c it is my crutch).
Also, I think there is something grand to celebrate when your project is moving slower than expected. The thing to highlight and celebrate is that it is moving! Someone once taught me that slow is fast and fast is slow! Remember, slow and steady wins the race!
All I know is, this is my new motto, because I’d never thought of it this way before:
Working towards a dream is actually living the dream.
You’re right. It’s not about arriving “there” and being at the dream; it’s about the journey.
JB – Exactly. This is a huge a-ha moment! Enjoy the journey.
I get waaaaaaaaaaaay to caught up in little things that are completely irrelevant. I can’t stand going to bed at night when the kitchen table is covered with papers, clothes need to be put away, etc. So I spend a whole lot of wasted time doing things that most definitely could be done later, instead of spending that time focusing on something I would truly enjoy. I am more aware of what I am doing now, but I still do it. It’s that whole “I’ll find my authentic voice” tomorrow dance, but I always muck tomorrow up with more to-dos. This is a huge problem for me, and I really struggle with it. I especially struggle with it now that I am a role model for my daughter. I don’t want her to adopt my same behaviors.
Jennifer – Celebrate your awareness. It is a huge first step.
Two things help me:
1. life frame – mind, body, career, financial, relationships, fun
2. wax / wane
I spread my life force across the life frame buckets. It’s important so I don’t over-invest in career or underinvest in relationships. Sometimes I invest in certain areas more than others depending on where I’m waxing/waning.
J.D.s last blog post..Rituals for Results
J.D. – Thanks for sharing your life frame model. I’ve been playing around with life balance buckets too. I picture each bucket with a small hole in the bottom that slowly depletes the “stuff” in each bucket. Therefore, we need to be sure we are watching our buckets and refilling (or refueling) when necessary.
You are an incredible writer! Rock on:)
I need to incorporate more time for prayer in my life………what is stopping me………..when it’s finally quiet in the house I’m so tired. I will work on it this month
Annettes last blog post..I MADE IT!!!!!
When I am not being true to myself my right shoulder kills me. The pain down the back of my arm is unlike anything I’ve experienced, and no, I’ve never injured it. Over the years I’ve learned that the area of pain is based on a meridian point that has to do with “purging” the old in order to bring in the new. Purging the old means being authentic and true to me. Just this week I thought about a personal conversation I need to have with someone very close to me, and after a week of no pain, WHAM! Pain was back….incredible, really.
Being true and authentic can be lonely….so few people do it, making it even harder to find the courage. Thanks for offering a place of support and encouragement to do so!
Tess – Thanks. I appreciate the encouragement more than you know!
Annette – I hear you. I’m too tired to do a lot of things at night.
Stacey Shipman – “Being true and authentic can be lonely” – that is an interesting statement that I’ll need to meditate on (when I find the time to meditate). Thank you for encouraging me to continue to build a supportive sanctuary for authentic voices that must be heard.
Living 20 years stuffing my creative impulses away, created an emotional cancer. The symptoms of the repressed energy showed up as inappropriate compulsive behavior. I haven’t figured out the true balance, but bringing the creativity back to the surface has made me a much better, more productive person. If I had continued to subvert my authentic self, the cancer would have consummed me.
Kip de Molls last blog post..Swingin The Blues
Hi Stacey – this is a great post and so important. I didn’t used to have any life balance at all – I just concentrated on business goals. But as you say – it’s the journey that’s far more important.
Nice article.. I really like the don’t listen part..
Erwin Tans last blog post..T3Leads Review
Kip de Moll – Thank you for sharing such a personal and touching story. Creativity, used for the good, is a priceless gift.
Cath – It is the journey, I truly believe that.
Erwin – Welcome to CreateaBalance.com. Sometimes it’s hard not to listen, but in the end, you have to follow you own true calling.
Great reflection.. I need to find the pitch for life now.
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