Summertime Balance

Summertime hellos!

How wonderful it would be to play complete hookie from all obligations and commitments (both work and personal) and simply play for the summer months! Those of you that can afford work time off and afford a vacation are fortunate. Those of us that have to continue working (me included), really need to make the time to have bite-size opportunities to break away and rejuvenate. Keeping up with all the peripheral "need-to-be-done jobs" has to be put into perspective (and occasionally put on the back burner) in support of healthy living!

Wouldn't you say...

The yardwork can wait one more day.
The filing of papers and answering correspondance can wait one more day.
Certainly, the vaccuuming and dusting can wait.
The mess in the carport will still be there tomorrow.

I admit, my life is hectic busy and not in very good balance right now and I know that working non-stop is simply not healthy. Thankfully, my involvements are ones I enjoy at least.

This is the time of year to be outdoors, walking in the woods, having a picnic or canoeing the inlet! Friends are calling to meet for barbeques, beer and laughing together. Nurturing our souls, our bodies and our friendships are key ingredients to life balance. Thankfully, our westcoast Canada summer season is fairly long compared to many other world regions... but still, time moves on quickly if we're not aware and setting priorities. Taking leisure time, balanced with other responsibilities is important for life.

So I ask, how are you doing in this regard? If you're like me, working like a dog and just managing to stay on top of necessary tasks it's time to step back and evaluate! Believe me, I am asking myself the following questions... you might ask them of yourself, too...

What are the aspects of life and work that could be slowed down for now?
What activities or commitments could be graciously declined?
Who could be called in to get help from?
How could responsibilities be delegated?

We've already had our longest day of the year, from here they begin shortening gradually. Now is the time to catch the spirit of summer and do some things to recharge our batteries, even if they're close to home and in the evenings after your work!

It's summer! There are festivals to enjoy, there are parks, there are picnics, there are bike rides, there are musical celebrations, etc. happening in your community. Get out and seek balance... instead of wishing you could have it. I'm committed to changing things for myself.

Here's a photo taken during our recent Canada Day parade...

Warmly, Carolyn

Your Last Minute Back-to-School Special

This is your final reminder... time is running out to get your copy of the "BEST YOU Possible" eBook and companion Relaxation meditation!

The Back-to-School Sale price of $19.97 is still available, but only until midnight Thursday, September 6th.

With nearly 170 pages of awesome Work and Balance tips and tools, you'd be silly to not gift yourself with a copy. It is LOADED with helpful hints...

... that will support your life to be more aligned with what you want for yourself.

48 hours to act quickly... so, go here now... http://www.life-balance-success.com/

Warmly, Carolyn and Richard Clarke

Inner Fitness(R) Program Facilitators

Summertime Fun for Balance

Glad you're visiting!

Thank goodness, in the midst of going through much renovation chaos, Richard and I are taking moments to step back and have some fun. With far too many projects going on all at once (and feeling rather overwhelmed with it all), we've not had nearly enough fun yet this summer... and that's disappointing considering how fast it is slipping by! Fun is a vital ingredient for living a balanced life... and I admit I've been off kilter.

Thankfully, 400 antique cars rolled into our little town a few days ago and dazzled the community with their showy features... everything from 1934 Model T's to the 60's and 70's muscle cars, drag racing cars, old ambulances, police cars and even a pedal car. Have a look...

To my special subscribers that are lovers of Boler campers, I thought of you as I saw this amazing vehicle. The owner of this trailer decked out the inside in a 50's jukebox style of decor... SOOO cute!

Enjoy... these photos are in tribute to you.

Being a 50's girl, I am naturally drawn to the shiny elegance of the chrome-laden cars... taking me right back to my childhood. This car was a nice example of what I really love.

Take a look at the chrome in this following photo. If you look carefully, you'll see my reflection in that amazing paint job. : )

I am so grateful for an infusion of community fun... my balance batteries felt a recharging this day. This coming weekend will help me further heal from renovation overload for an awesome week-long Arts Festival is now underway, which means dancing, singing, playing and remembering what summer is REALLY all about!

Hope you are enjoying some summertime fun, too.

Warmly, Carolyn
http://www.life-balance-success.com/

Our Creature Relationships

Hi! If you are returning, welcome back... and if you are here for the first time, glad you're visiting. My blog generally "circles around" issues of work and life balance, but is occasionally peppered with simple human stories of everyday life... today's entry being one.

So much of our work (with husband, Richard) is focussed on relationship... of every kind. We counsel and teach husbands and wives, business partners and professionals, parents and children, etc. to relate in clearer ways together. But by far, the key focus of relationship focussed on in our work is the one we have with ourselves first!

Well, today's writing is on the lighter side of relationships... the ones (most people have today) with our beloved furry creature friends... our cats, dogs, birds, etc.

Here's a funny, little story sent to me by subscriber friends of mine, Bev and Ian. (Thanks so much Bev and Ian for giving me permission to tell your sweet pet story.) This is a moment Bev had happen recently with their dog Abby, have a read...

"A smile for today...
I usually never leave food in my purse but yesterday I had a bag of trail mix in there. I lifted my purse up & put it on the other side of the dog gate so next time I went in the kitchen I'd put it away. I went in the office to turn the computers on & when I returned there was Abby my basset with her head through the strap of the purse so the purse was dangling down from her neck & she was looking up at me with the most innocent face. She didn't get around to eating the trail mix but of course drooled on everything in my purse. What could I say but "That's why we love you - you are so funny!"
Bev

What a cute image, hey! Though Bev missed getting a photo of Abby "in the trail mix act," here's another Abby moment captured to share with you, instead. Apparently, she loves to help with the dishes! :)

The truth is, pets can contribute SO much to the quality of our lives! I am sure that every pet owner will agree with me how pets add an unconditional love and comfort factor to life unlike anything else! They raise our spirits when they're sagging, they drag us out into nature when we feel like passing it up. Our cats and dogs (and maybe weasels, pot-bellied pigs and birds, etc. too, who knows) become our loyal friends, infusing us with affection and fun.

Certainly, the healing benefit of animals has been studied and recognized... hence the value of taking dogs into the hospital to visit the ailing.

Our little Diva cat provides us with love and a point of balance each and every day! If you are pet-free and lonely, perhaps it could be your greatest answer to finding friendship and love. Here's our sweet one.

If you are a pet-lover and owner but are not making ample time to give attention to your pet, I urge you to... not only for the sake and health of your pet, but also for the healing and calming benefits to YOUR health, too.

Here's a "Creed For Animal Lovers" that I found recently (author unknown)...

"I shall be a believer of all that is good in man and all that is deserving in animals.

I shall plead for their lives, campaign for their safety and uphold their right to a natural death.

I shall seek out the injured and the maimed, the unloved and the abandoned and tend to them in their last days.

I shall not forget their place in the heirarchy of life, nor that we walk in each other's paths.

I shall bear witness to the wonder they bring into our lives and to the beauty they bestow on our souls.

I shall restore their spirits when they are waning, bind their wounds when they bleed, cradle them when they wimper and comfort them when they mourn.

I shall be near them in their hour of greatest need, a companion and a friend when their time has come.

I shall watch over them and console them and ask that the angels gather them in their arms.

From the creatures of the earth, I shall learn the fruits of compassion and undying love.

In their company, I shall indeed be blessed."

Finally, if you are indeed looking for more balance in your everyday life, spend time with a furry creature... their presence can be pure magic!

Warmly, Carolyn

www.innerfitness.ca

www.a-balanced-life.com

A Balanced Life Is Yours To Create... We Can Help

If you are visiting for the very first time, a hearty welcome to you!

And if you are a returning visitor, glad you're back!

We've had innumerable requests recently for an update on our current teachings, so I thought I'd write about it here in our blog. Here's what we're working on;

For these last six months, Richard and I have been busy condensing our twenty six years of counselling and seminar teaching experience into bite-sized writings to offer those seeking more work and life balance. As you may already know, we've been busy compiling an extensive eBook on this very topic, and though it is taking longer to complete than expected, it's arrival nears. The Christmas break will help move it closer!

Alongside the eBook, www.a-balanced-life.com was born this summer. This modest little website is your (free) entry to receive innumerable Inner Fitness(R) Work and Life Balance tips, tools, projects, video links, audio links and powerful strategies for getting your life in better shape. Simply click on the link above and leave us with your name and email address... that's it!

We address balance very holistically... meaning that we feel it is important to have you work physically, emotionally, mentally/attitudinally, socially/relationship and also spiritually. As each of these aspects of life are given the nurturing attention they need and deserve, quality of life is given an opportunity to flourish.

After you subscribe, Richard and I will then begin sending you our mailings, giving you things to think about, ideas to experiment with, projects to incorporate, etc. Having worked with thousands of individuals and couples over many, many years now, we know that our ideas can make a great difference to your life... especially with committed implimentation in your daily life.

You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by signing up! If at any time you wish to no longer receive our mailings, you can simply unsubscribe.

Sign up using this link and we'll get you started on a pathway to a more balanced life.
www.a-balanced-life.com

We really look forward to sharing our years of experience with you.
(And, stay tuned for our eBook's final arrival.)

Warmly, Carolyn and Richard
Inner Fitness(R) Programs
www.innerfitness.ca
Our Inner Fitness(R) meditation CDs are available online through CDBaby at http://cdbaby.com/cd/crclarke4