Blend over Balance

I'm one of those people that like to have everything "just so".  I'll lay in bed at night and think of things I may have left undone.  I love people.  I like solving problems and hate conflict.  That being said, today started out crazy!  I overslept for work.  I NEVER do this.  And, when I say that I overslept, I mean that I woke up at the time that I usually LEAVE for work!  So, as we rush to get all of us ready, we end up leaving within 20-25 minutes.   Then, the gas light comes on.  It turned out to be a great day.  I even laughed till I cried today.

So, when life doesn't go the way that it's cleverly outlined in your agenda, guess what?  Sit down. Get ready for this.  Just breathe.  Everything will be okay.  Life goes on.  I often look in the mirror when I say things like this.

My not-so-perfect morning reminds of the story of the Proverbs 31 woman.  Basing my entire fitness journey on this desire to be a better version of myself, I've studied the Proverbs 31 woman multiple times.  I mean how does she do it?  She's not a working mom.  She's not a stay at home mom.  She's not a financial guru.  She's not a hard worker.  She's not a planner.  She's ALL OF THAT.  And more.

Trying to live up to that and, even more importantly, to be like Jesus can be utterly exhausting.  (It's a good thing that we have grace and mercy!)  At REFIT®, I often hear myself talking about how it's okay to be there, how it's okay to take time for yourself.  But, get this, I don't always live up to what I preach.  I often find myself swimming in guilt as I take care of me.  I often feel selfish.

So, how do you and I balance everything in life, like the Proverbs 31 woman?  She was a master of multi-tasking.  At my training for REFIT®, I remember hearing balance like this.  Forget balance. When you balance everything, something will eventually fall.  A balance tips, right?   It's best to live a blended life.  Blend over balance.

It's perfectly normal for things in your life to go into one another.  Remember that crazy-organized lady that I said I was at the beginning of this?  Well, she has a problem doing this.  I was the girl who didn't even like the food on my plate to touch one another.

That moment that you're running late and you almost run out of gas?  It's okay.

That moment you lose your cool in front of your spouse or children?  It's okay (Ask for forgiveness, but it'll be okay!)

That moment your mashed potatoes touch your peas?  It's okay. (Well, if you like peas, it is!)

That moment that you decide to start taking care of yourself?  It's okay.  (You cannot take care of others first.)  You need you to do what you do.

You are worth it.
You are valued.
You are needed.

******

Update:
Today was day 3 of my fitness journey.  Here's my accomplishments in a nutshell:  I said no to a room full of chocolate!  (It's true; it was part of a lesson.)  And, I've lost 4 pounds!  It's  not about numbers, though.  It's about mindset.  Saying no is hard.  But, we'll save that topic for another day....

Be Blessed
~Julie