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In
preparation for the New Year my Yoga teacher focused her December classes on
alignment of the spine. By aligning the spine we would increase the flow of
energy, release energy that had become stuck and open channels that had been
blocked. All of this was in preparation for the holidays and end of year
activities where there was a potential for energy depletion. At the time I
soaked up all the yoga positions and marveled at how well I felt. I thought
that I wanted to bring this into my life every month, every day.
We are
now beginning February and I am longing for a re-alignment. Yes I do Yoga
2-3 times a week but my alignment requires that there is balance in all
areas of my life. Life happens; we get pulled in different directions and
make daily choices for living our lives. To remain aligned and balanced
from day to day, week to week, and month to month requires that we are able
to identify the things in our life that:
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Drain our energy,
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Cause stress, or
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We do as a habit with
little or no joy.
Once
those things are identified, we have a choice – stay where we are or change
the things in our life that put us out of balance. Awareness is the first
step to change from where we are to where we want to be – aligned and
balanced.
To have a
life which is balanced and aligned – what does that mean for you? For me,
balance comes when the areas of my life [Career, Money, Health, Friends &
Family, Romance, Personal Growth, Fun & Recreation, and Physical
Environment] are in a flow and I have time set aside for me. The “Me time”
can be 20 minutes of quiet and meditation or a half day writer’s workshop or
5 minutes reading a poem. I have realized that the “Me time” however small
helps to keep the other areas of my life aligned and flowing. I am able to
respond to the areas of my life that need attention quickly before they get
out of balance.
Here are
some other ways to attain balance in your life.
Get rid of energy drains -
Resolve any issues
that you have been thinking about for a long time, they drain your energy
dry. Your brain is like a hard drive on your computer; when it gets full, it
is difficult for other programs to function properly.
Discover your personal
drivers/motivators -
These are your personal
values, standards, and strengths (your energy sources). Explore what makes
you joyful, excited, and fulfilled. Place these in your life everyday.
Don't just settle for
anything; raise the bar -
What do you truly want? Be
aware of you and what you need to be your best and do not settle for less.
The higher you raise the bar, the fewer problems will appear in your life.
Define achievement for
yourself - Clarify
and write down what success means for you. What would it look like, feel
like, what would you hear if you were successful. Use these answers as your
success barometer...not somebody else's idea of success.
Get a handle on your
finances today -
Pay your bills on time, do a budget, and know how much is coming in and
going out. Save at least 10%. Remember to pay yourself first – save and
invest in your future.
Create abundance in all
areas of your life -
Create reserves in your
finances, relationships, family, and work life. Living with the belief that
there is always enough, creates abundance and eliminates scarcity thinking
and lack.
Clarify your expectations
for yourself and others -
If people know what to expect
from you and you from them, there are no hurt feelings and you won't have to
play the blame game.
Rid yourself of the
attitudes of others –
Create strong boundaries
around how others treat you or behave around you. Do not tolerate other
people's behavior if it drains your energy. Just "call" their behavior to
their attention and ask them to stop behaving that way around you.
Recognize and respect your
intuition - Your
personal Intuition is like a force field that protects you from those who
want to bring you harm or have ill intentions towards you. It is also your
internal compass for your benefit.
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