The Balanced Life, Huntsville Alabama

Much of our time and energy is devoted to problem-solving and decision making. A problem is defined as any situation for which we don’t have a ready, immediate response.

I've been thinking about what I would write about when it was my turn to blog, and it came to me while driving the other day and listening to one of my favorite signer/songwriters, Sara Bareilles. Sara has an amazing ability to write song lyrics that cut right to an issue and you feel it right along with her. In her song, "She Used To Be Mine", the woman in the song is filled with regret and longing for the person she was in her youth.

Less than two weeks until Christmas-- I hear that and immediately start to feel a twinge of panic along with a million different thoughts running through my mind.  Did I do this? Did I buy that? What about for this person? When is this event?

The holiday season often brings us closer to family and friends. However, for every great interaction we have, we all have that one relative, acquaintance, or co-worker that drive us up the wall, but we can't quite put our finger on why they make us feel this way.

The expression of praise as thanksgiving, gratitude, and joy is among the most powerful forms of affirmation.

--Catherine Ponder

Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year, with Spring running a close second. I guess growing up in the south with our extreme summers and damp, dreary winters makes me extra appreciative of the moderate temperatures that Fall brings us. While the season tends to end far too soon, I love so many things about it: the crispness in the air, the changing leaves, the harvest decorations and holidays, college football- you name it about Fall, I'm a fan.

Let’s be honest.  We all struggle with comparing ourselves to others.  We compare relationships, accomplishments, physical appearance, intelligence, money—and the list goes on and on.  At times, this comparison leads us to believe that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

I have a confession to make. I am NOT perfect, nor do I have my stuff together 100% of the time. Actually, if I had to estimate on my best days I’m probably tracking at 75% of my stuff being together. I too forget things, procrastinate, and/or engage in other totally human behavior. I've found that life is much more enjoyable and my relationships are better when I give myself and others a break for being less than perfect. Also playing “Patty Perfect” is exhausting. Below you will find ways to give yourself and others a break when we fall short. 

I often hear from clients that they struggle with motivation for a variety of reasons.  And I must admit that I do, too, from time to time.  What is it about that word “motivation” that can make us feel on top of the world and the bottom of the barrel?  Truth be told, I recently felt stuck and had a difficult time finding my motivation.  It was like I was resisting positivity in my life and had this invisible wall between me and my progress. 

Most of the time, I feel very grounded and centered. I take things in stride. I feel my emotions but I don’t tend to get carried away by them. I don’t sweat the small stuff. But, one day recently, I wasn’t able to do this.

For the first time in many years, we did not have a child starting school on the first day of school in our district because our youngest graduated in May.  This was a strange feeling for me and one that brought many emotions, from excitement for the next phase and a little sadness because this phase is over.  I tend to be sentimental and nostalgic by nature and enjoy reflecting on the phases of life and how the passage of time brings change and today, I will share some of those thoughts with you.