One of our biggest challenges is balancing the aspiration to make a difference with the need to take better care of ourselves. Or vice versa. And the longer we live, the more urgently we feel the need to resolve this struggle.
Here’s how the story goes. If we’re pushing ourselves too hard, we think along these lines:
- As soon as I get this project done, this article written, these To Do’s crossed off, I’m taking a break.
- The stress of working this much is a risk to my health ~ but this is what I have to do.
- This is what it takes to give it my best and do something meaningful ~ keep going.
On the other hand if we’re not pushing ourselves enough, we probably hear messages like these:
- If I keep procrastinating, I’ll never find the job I want and need.
- I’d love to find the love of my life, but I’m afraid I’ll get hurt again.
- If I meditate, I’ll be more peaceful and be a better person ~ maybe tomorrow.
I’ve never met a person who didn’t want his or her life to count for something, and so we do know what matters most. The trick is developing the balance between pushing ourselves too much or not pushing ourselves enough.
If you read my earlier article in which I described my battle with West Nile virus, you know it was an enormous challenge throughout the autumn. Then right before the holidays, I was myself again. My mind and my heart were on fire, I could see well enough to read and write, and I was off to the races. That was tough, but now I’m back!!
Then about six weeks ago my doctor told me that my body had only 50% of the energy I had before I became sick. If I wanted to return to normal, I’d have to learn to stop working each day before I’d gone too far. If I didn’t do so, I’d start using up the 50% I’d regained and that could be life-threatening.
But frankly I have no idea how to do what she says. When the inspiration hits, I forget all about her words and keep going until I’m satisfied.
So I’m one of the ones who push myself too hard, and now I must learn to slow down. Ask yourself this question and take what you get ~ listen to your inner wisdom and trust what you hear.
Do I push myself too hard or not hard enough?
Once you have your answer, promise yourself that you will make the changes to take better care of yourself ~ or get going on the projects that mean the most to you. Whichever your issue, here’s some advice I received from our son Jeff yesterday ~ it works in both cases:
If you do what you have to do when you have to do it, then you can do what you want to do when you want to do it.
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It made sense to me. Just do what I have to do, then move on to relaxing and restoring my energy and my health. I know this is the answer, and already it’s starting to work. This has been a decades-long issue for me and resolving it is going to be life-changing. How about you?
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I’d love to hear about how you’re handling this issue ~ and more importantly what’s made the biggest difference to you.. Scroll down to share your answer or make a comment — or write to me directly at jinny@bestyearyet.com.
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