How to Fight Stress and Live a Happy Life

In this crazy-making world of multi-tasking and too many commitments, how do we find balance in our life? Better yet, what would balance look like? What would it feel like?

Many of us spent much of our lives achieving goals, making promises, and being in service to others. Now years later, instead of receiving recognition for our extra efforts, we find we are still being over-worked, stressed out and looking for a way to hide from the world.

I was developing a new business several years ago; creating the context, work flow, and outlining the training for my Core Passion™ Power training program. I was doing all of my regular activities, meeting with several clients a day, working with my technology partner developing the web site, giving several talks.

WHAM! I was given a lightning bolt of enlightenment from the universe.

I found myself at the doctor’s office waiting for the test results of some very angry-looking skin irritations that appeared on my body. The doctor walked in and said, “It looks like you have been pushing yourself past your limits. You have a very serious case of the shingles!”

Well, I was dumfounded! Shingles. . . Isn’t that what people get when their life is out of control?

The doctor gave me some medication then sent me home to rest and to regain some balance in my life. She suggested I find a way to find some balance between work and health.

Wow, I had to take a good look at my life. I thought I was just doing what everyone else was doing. I took a good look at my schedule for the past several months. I began to see I was busy all the time. I had forgotten to schedule time for me. My dilemma was: if I am to finish all the things I have committed to doing, how could I have changed my schedule?

I began to make a list of the things I had committed to doing. I made a column for “like to do”, “need to do” and “I am doing”. Next, I made a list of all the people that I know who have expertise in the areas I was working on for my company. Now my next list was the most difficult. 

What could I ask someone else to do for me? Hey, let me tell you, this brought up lots of personal issues for me instantly! How much control was I willing to let go of? Who would want to take the time to help me? How could I pay for this work? That and a lot of other concerns.

As I looked at my life with all the things I had promised to do, I soon realized I was way out of line with balance.

Balance has now become my Mantra. I am integrating balance in all aspects of my personal, professional, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual life.

Once I stepped back and took a good look at my out-of-control life style, I could see why my body was rebelling. I had ignored the subtle hints of my family and friends that I wasn’t spending much quality time with them. I was so far out of touch with my body I did not accept the growing tension between my shoulder blades. I really was not taking the time I used to schedule for walking, journaling, and meditating.

Regaining balance in my life was important. The shingles that appeared on my body were manifestations of how out of balance I was. The body is an amazing thing, it senses when something is wrong and does its best to let us know. When we’re out of balance we stop listening to our body.

Now, I listen to what my body is telling me! Let me share with you some tips I have found effective in creating and regaining balance in life.

1.    Make the conscious effort to CREATE your day. This puts you in charge of your day’s tasks. Do you have balance in your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual life?
2.    Spend time with your loved ones.  My husband and I walk every day and take the time to enjoy a cup of coffee on our deck as we consciously plan our day. Doing things together with your spouse, kids, parents, or siblings can help put balance back in your life
3.    Seek other people’s help. If you are overburdened with work, delegate tasks. Look for competent people who can take on the job. I have found several people that are experts in the various fields of focus that I am working with. A bonus came out of asking for help. Writers and professional speakers who have become passionate about my work are excited to learn and teach this program to their clients.
4.    Take time to sit quietly and listen to your inner thoughts. In the morning, reflect how you want to spend your day. In the evening, reflect in gratitude how you spent your day.
5.    Ask for balance to come in your life. Be clear on what you want, what you need help doing, and then ask for it. You’ll be amazed at what can happen!

-Lori  Palm
Modern-day Muse