Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you and that you have enjoyed some moments of down time. I was uncertain what to expect at the Fall Fling vendor event but was pleasantly surprised when I sold 10 books. My husband and I are 10 days out and counting before we begin our Bahamas cruise vacation. Working summer learning camp was worth it!
Quote of the Week: “Life is a balance of holding on, letting go, and knowing when to do which of the two.” –Anmol Andore
Song of the Week: Up to now, I have tried to provide songs that are uplifting and have a point to them. This week’s song is one that I absolutely hate; it makes me cry almost every time I hear it, but it does have a point. “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin tells the story of a man who didn’t have great work/life balance. As a result, he missed opportunities to connect with his growing son. As so often happens, the son repeats the same habit patterns he learned from his father, which leave him lonely as he grows older and realizes that he missed spending quality time with his own son. It shows how children often model the behaviors they witness as they grow up. A healthy work/life balance is one of the best things you can teach them.
Nugget of Wisdom of the Week: As you probably guessed, this week’s key idea is the importance of creating a balance between your work life and your home life. This sounds like a no-brainer, but before you realize it, you can get caught up with work and totally forget to leave yourself some down time.
One of my biggest weaknesses is that I sometimes don’t realize when I have reached my limit. Just today I was trying to take on more responsibility than necessary. It’s because I jump in with both feet, not wanting to disappoint people when they ask if I can help. Sometimes I see a need, and if no one else is responding to it, I think I have to be the one to take action. If you were to look at my calendar for September, you’d see that on every day I was not working at our church, I was subbing in classes at school. And the weekends were just as busy.
Aside from becoming physically exhausted due to a lack of balance, this tendency also leaves you feeling mentally exhausted. I don’t know which one is worse. The pattern becomes to eat and sleep poorly, which also contributes to fatigue and negative feelings. Exercise is key to dispelling the fog the keeps you groggy.
It is admirable to want to do things for people, but don’t overcommit and risk your well-being.
Joke of the Week: How do workaholics handle vacations? They bring their laptops and work remotely from paradise.
Recipe of the Week: Instead of sharing a recipe, I’m going to tell you about a great cookie. Kroger sells a Private Collection Sea Salt Caramel cookie dough that is out of this world. I don’t even like sea salt caramel in most things, but these cookies are addictive. Please eat with caution!
Shout Out of the Week: This week, I want to shout out to everyone struggling to keep themselves in balance. You are not alone. Remember to leave yourself time to do nothing and not feel bad about it. Being conscientious in your work is great, but don’t do it at the expense of your health. You’ve got this!
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.
