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

Toes Are Important For Balance!

Hello again!

Being away teaching a seminar for Core Training's Summit (for their realtor and mortgage broker members) for a week has made it virtually impossible to have computer time for emailing and blogging. Sorry to leave you with the same post for that long stretch!

So, I'm pretty upset with myself. My two-week-long painful suspicion was confirmed today...

...x-rays confirm that I have a broken big toe!!! It was during some expressive acting out at The Haven that I hurt myself... even after being forewarned about not using my feet head-on to do so... hence my being upset with myself.

Can't bend it. Can't easily walk on it. Can't wear any other shoes than flats.

Popping Advil to ease the pulsing pain. Reducing my activities... argh. Walking on the outside of my foot and causing the alignment of my body to go askew. Sigh.

What have I learned?

Having ten healthy toes are imperative for life balance!

Sure, healthy eating is important... exercise is important... boundaries on work time vs. home time is important... blah, blah, blah!

Today, MY balance would be achievable if I could have my healthy big toe back. Apparently, it could take a few months before it's really healed and I have its range of movement again.

Moan.

Tomorrow I need to see my Chiropractor to put my mis-aligned body back into place, after compensating for two weeks. I'll make this my last grumble, I promise.

Whatever you do, protect your toes! They're mighty important ingredients in the life balance equation.

Moving like a turtle, Carolyn

www.life-balance-success.com

Stop and Smell the Dahlias!

I literally could not believe my eyes!

Walking within two city blocks in length of Dahlia flowers this late morning set my autumn senses on fire! The sun and shimmery dew were out and, for some reason, the bees were buzzing around only the orangy-red and yellow dahlias... why only those ones, I do not know.

Never before have I seen such incredible variety and colour... thanks to the kind folk at Dahlias Galore on the Sunshine Coast for opening their beautiful gardens to the public (and free of charge, too). With visiting friends, we sauntered the flower field, amazed at the glorious variations on colour, curl and size of flowers!

Have a look...

There are the bees on the orangy-red and yellow Dahlias I told you about!

(C)2007 All photographs belong to and are copywrited to Carolyn J. Clarke

To me, being out in nature is the very best Work and Life Balance "medicine" one could possibly find. Sure, tips and tools of reducing work hours, finding quiet moments of peace amidst chaos, limiting email checks, practicing meditation, etc. are all perfectly fine as helpful balance solutions, but...

... I say, simply put yourself out into Nature's beauty and THERE you will find Work and Life Balance. Nothing is complicated in Nature... it is only we, as humans, that make life so complex. Nature helps us remember that we are part of a more simple plan.

I came home after this morning outing feeling as though I'd had a "mellowing tonic" ... goodness me! Dahlias, they're positively intoxicating! If you can find some, before their favourite autumn season is over, who needs anything other than beauty to bliss out into balance... not me.

Today, I am in perfect balance, thanks to some magnificent flowers.

Still dahlia tipsy, Carolyn

http://www.life-balance-success.com/

For other (less flower-oriented Work and Life Balance tips), the BEST YOU Possible eBook is loaded with more "practical" balance tools... yours for $27 US... click on the link above.

A Change of Pace Is Good For the Body and Soul

A change of pace is good for the body and soul!

Sometimes it is good to step out of our own world and enter another for awhile... this contributes to increased life balance.

My sweetheart, Richard and I got on an airplane a few days ago and flew to the north coast of British Columbia, into the scenic community of Prince Rupert, right on the coast. We are here to help my lovely sister, Marina celebrate a milestone birthday and it is sweet to be here with her and her mate. The sea air and the slower pace of life that is apparent in the "Rupertites" is having a positive effect on me... I feel more content and at peace being away from my usual world of activities, responsibilities and concerns... and instead, focused on play!

Stepping out of our "same-old, same-old" day-to-day lives can be a valuable way to recharge our internal batteries and refresh our spirits. And, connecting with family adds another all-important element of soul enrichment. Seeing new parts of the world, experiencing how other community people live, witnessing special traditions, hearing special stories and creating new memories has a way of filling out our personal life perspectives in broader ways than usual. I always tend to learn so much about myself through my travels and, for this, I am grateful.

I nudge you to step out of your personal day-to-day life, even for a day here and there, to broaden your personal and world perspective. Let yourself have some playtime... and, if you have family you haven't seen for awhile, you might consider including it in your time. Here's to recharged internal batteries.

(Happy Birthday, Marina. To be with you on this very special occasion is like giving myself a gift!)

P.S. We devote considerable attention to the value of play in our "Becoming the BEST YOU Possible" eBook... get your copy by clicking the link below.

Warmly, Carolyn
www.life-balance-success.com

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

Get Away From the Pressures

Camping sure is good for work and life balance and for feeding the soul!

When life has been too busy without much time to draw back and replenish our inner batteries, what better way to recharge than to pack up a few basic supplies and get out into nature for a few days!

There's nothing like sitting in a lawn chair beneath a canopy of lovely trees, tent's all set up in a cozy way and ready for whatever weather may arrive... and to simply "Be" vs. "Do." Camping serves to remind us of the simpler needs and pleasures of life, where our lives can naturally slow to a more gentle pace again.

North American lives have become plagued with the "Doing Disease" to the point that many people are seriously devoid of even knowing how to Be anymore. Running here, running there... it's like we're all a bunch of chickens with our heads cut off... unless we make the sincere effort to break the spell. And, that's all a "Doing life" is... a big, bad spell.

Camping serves as a good reminder to slow down, be without the usual temptations of day-to-day appliances, TV's, computers, telephones, conveniences, etc. Instead, we begin to notice our rhythms adjust (to its intended natural pace), we hear the sounds of nature in new ways, we breathe fresh air again, we rest like we maybe haven't done in a long while and camping offers precious time to think about what is really important in life.

Simply put, camping is a good remedy for an imbalanced life!

Here's where we camped for several days recently... now our second visit to Lund, B.C., the town at the furthermost northern tip of the TransCanada Highway #1. Lund is a launching point to visit the lovely Savory Island and is a mecca for sport fisherman, as you can see by the boats in this photo.

Our sweet cat, Diva had a really good time, too! As you can see, her favourite spot was the lofty view atop the canopy entrance of our tent.

She's an awesome camping cat!

(C)2007 Photographs by Carolyn, all rights reserved.

Late in the afternoon on Saturday, a dark still sky meant that a wild storm was heading our way. WELL, what an invigorating adventure we had snuggling into our well-protected campsite as the heavyduty thunder, lightning and rainstorm decended fiercely upon us! Rarely do we get to experience the elements in such a personal and exposed way... with booming thunder and lightning literally above our heads. I felt very alive (though somewhat insignificant in the face of nature's fury) during this amazing storm.

If camping's not your thing, find a way to enjoy more time outdoors, in frequent ways... nature's gifts are great.

Warmly, Carolyn

www.life-balance-success.com

IMPORTANT, READ ON TO THE NEXT BLOG ENTRY...

THERE'S A BACK-TO-SCHOOL SPECIAL PRICE ON OUR BECOMING THE BEST YOU POSSIBLE eBOOK... $19.97...

... BUT ONLY UNTIL THURSDAY, SEPT. 5TH

IT COME WITH SEVERAL GREAT BONUSES... GET YOUR COPY!

BACK-TO-SCHOOL-SALE

Starting today, we're offering you a
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALE on our

"Becoming the BEST YOU Possible"
eBook Package

...offer available only until midnight, September 6th!


With summer nearly over here in North America and school about to resume in just two weeks, we decided this was the perfect time to offer you a special price on your personal Work and Life Balance makeover.


Get your copy of this eBook for only $19.97 US instead of the full price of $27!!

The fall is typically a re-focussing time after the leisure play of summer. What a good time to re-commit to your health and lifestyle practices for an awesome remainder of the year. The BEST YOU will definitely support you to do exactly this… it’s LOADED with balance remedies for a truly balanced life!

$19.97 is a small price to pay for a life of more balance. To learn all that the eBook and bonuses contain, go to http://www.life-balance-success.com/ … there’s even a Table of Contents page you can check for topic titles.

Warmly, Carolyn and Richard

http://www.life-balance-success.com/

Start your balance makeover now!

Welcome!

I was forwarded the following thought provoking idea (thanks to my friend, Deep) and want to share it with you, too.

Imagine there is a bank that credits our account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no new balance from day to day. Every evening it deletes whatever part of the balance we failed to use during the day.

What do we do? Draw out every cent, of course!

Well, each of us has such a bank. The name of the account is TIME.

Every morning it credits us with 86,400 seconds. Every night it wipes away any time we have failed to put to good use and gives us a new 86, 400 seconds to use how we choose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for us. Each night it burns the remains of the day.

If we fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is ours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against “tomorrow.” We must live in the present of today’s deposits. We must draw from this to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success!

The clock is running, so make the most of each day.

• Realize the value of ONE YEAR, as a student who failed a grade.

• Realize the value of ONE MONTH, as a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.

• Realize the value of ONE WEEK, as the editor of a weekly newspaper

• Realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who meet.

• Realize the value of ONE MINUTE, as a person who missed the train.

• Realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have.

Treasure it more because you shared it with someone special.

And remember that time waits for no one.

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery.

Today is a gift. P.S. That’s why it’s called the PRESENT!

Warmly, Carolyn

http://www.life-balance-success.com/

Remember, our "Becoming the BEST YOU Possible" eBook goes on sale starting on August 28th, but for only seven days. Stay tuned!

Pleasure Time for Health and Happiness

As our Canadian summer nears its final few weeks, many people around us are scrambling to put last-minute vacation plans in place... us included.

One of the greatest drains on people is the continual stressful demand that everyday life and work takes on a person's health and energy. Overload ultimately takes a harmful toll on a person's ability to cope.

One remedy?

Mini time-outs! Even little spaces of time away from the same old routine can put a necessary breathing space back into a person's sense of being. These breaks can help re-establish better balance, improved moods and health recovery... and they can be inexpensive, too. Having had such a busy home renovation summer, all we can afford (in time AND expenses) are two miniature getaways to draw back and replenish before the fall truly arrives.

What Richard and I have learned from our prior experiences is that even 3 or 4 days completely away from the usual hustle and bustle of everyday life can totally rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit again!

So I ask... have you had a break in the last eight weeks? It need not be a full-fledged vacation to feel better... even a few days somewhere close to home can recharge your batteries.

This coming weekend, Richard and I are going to load up our new van and, with our cool travelling cat Diva, we're going to meet several of our friends for a camping adventure in Lund, B.C.! We all met in this same way last year, we had the BEST fun and felt nicely rejuvenated afterwards for it, too.

Take a bit of pleasure time for yourself... you deserve it!

Warmly, Carolyn and Richard, camping

P.S. We'll be putting our BEST YOU eBook on sale for a mere $19.97 beginning August 28th... for six days only... tune into http://www.life-balance-success.com for your copy!

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/

Surviving Renovations

Help!

I'm going CRAZY with the chaos of home renovations! Roofers are pounding non-stop above my head, making it impossible to concentrate and gradually giving me a headache... my office would have to be in the loft immediately below the noise!

I am applying several of the life-saving practices I know to use in times of stress;

• deep breathing
• drawing back
• going for walks
• unhooking from thinking I have to be a mighty productive person for now
• and keeping a sense of humour through it all

It is no wonder that personal health and relationships get taxed during renovations. Thankfully, the bulk of our renovation noise and mess will be over in another week or two. I sure look forward to returning to the quiet of our mountainside and a sense of inner balance again.

Warmly, Carolyn...
temporarily out of balance

Is Balance a concrete state?

Balance is often thought of as a concrete state one can aspire to “arrive” at. The inference is taken that once “found”, one “is balanced” and can simply stay “there.” It sounds wonderful to imagine living in a continually even and blissful state, but if you really think about it, bliss itself is also a constantly effervescent state. To freeze it would mean be to become immobilized, hanging on in resistance to the changing nature of life. We propose that balance cannot be “found,” but can only be “created!”


(Image by Dreamstime)

Balance is dynamic!

Living balance is, therefore, a dynamic (ever-moving) experience as one consciously makes choices between the “either - or” presented by life itself. To embrace the richness of living it is important to acknowledge and experience the vacillation between the extremes and, in this way, grow accustomed and be in harmony with the natural rhythms of change and the unfolding cycles of life and living. Treat balance as a verb rather than a noun… for BALANC-ING will lead you to be “lively” and energetic in life.

By the way, this writing today is taken directly from our "Becoming the BEST YOU Possible" eBook. Have you got your copy yet? If not, go to
http://www.life-balance-success.com now.


Sincerely, Carolyn Clarke
www.innerfitness.ca

Psychological Health In the Workplace

I was really pleased to read in our very own daily newspaper, the Vancouver Sun, an article emphasizing the importance of businesses looking after the psychological wellbeing of their employees.

"Look after your people and they'll look after your business" is the advice that a local psychologist, Jennifer Newman and chairwoman of the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Collaborative is sending out. (A good message, I say!)

How exciting to gradually see more and more corporations getting the message that satisfied and nutured employees will attend to their work with clearer and happier commitment. Those companies that make attentive efforts to create healthier workplaces are finding that they're keeping their employees and are also more successful at attracting new employees to want to work with them.

(Image by Dreamstime)

Newman says that, "When people feel cared for, they are more loyal, committed and attracted to the company. When employees are rewarded for their work efforts and invited to be more involved in decision making, when they are given opportunities to balance work and home life better, they are generally more fulfilled in their work time.

Wow, it sounds like our Vancouver Airport Authority has a pretty wonderful Work and Life Balance Program in place... having won a Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award in 2004! Employees are offered flexible work schedules, "lunch and learn" sessions, fitness incentives and free yoga classes, stress management and nutrition classes, access to alternative healing methods, etc.

YVR has apparently observed a marked improvement in job fulfilment, a higher work attendance rate and a very low turnover rate since the beginning of their Balance Wellness Program began. Is it any wonder? People are HAPPY in their jobs!

This sounds SO encouraging. Heck, I 'd enjoy working in those conditions, too. Slowly but surely corporations are waking up to the fact that their employees are their greatest assets to mutual success!

Isn't this good news... I say, "It's about time!"

Warmly, Carolyn

Personal Change Consultant

www.innerfitness.ca

P.S. Head right over to http://life-balance-success.com/specialoffer.html and order your copy of our newly released "Becoming the BEST YOU Possible" eBook... special launch price available only until 6PM this Thursday the 7th!

Music In the Workplace

Thanks to the Times of India online newspaper for their Work and Life Balance article entitled,

"Work, office, music!"

Written and published 30 May, 2007... P.S. India is already into our tomorrow. : )

Have a read... I couldn't agree more!

"Many corporate organisations play non-stop music for their employees. Who doesn't want to lead a stress-free life? Indeed, people aren't hesitant while taking various steps to make their lives smoother. Be it playing with pets, a trip to the spa, vacationing, watching movies or listening to favourite tracks, all these serve as stress busters for many.

Music, the all-time favourite mantra for relieving stress, has been with us for ages. And now, with fusion and trance gaining popularity, it is a constant presence in many corporate set ups as well. Nikhil Mehta, an IT professional, says, "Music matters a lot, and adds positive vibes to the atmosphere. It helps relax amidst workplace tensions. It helps employees to work with efficiency and ease." Trance and golden oldies of Bollywood are the preferred varieties of music."

(Interestingly, I personally love to listen to Indian music as I work! By the way, have you discovered iTunes Radio yet? If not, check it out on the Internet... there are hundreds of online radio stations from all over the world to suit your preferred type of music!)

"As a matter of fact, some prominent radio stations too have come up with stress-busting music albums. Even when confronted by strict deadlines, music enables one to perform better. Rathi Pradhan, an advertising professional, echoes Mehta's thought when he says, "The pressure in our profession is too much. Music plays a key role, and soothes the mind."

Many studies have proved that music helps in reducing chronic pain. People suffering from back pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, and pain from injuries can benefit by listening to it.

Yet, not everyone is convinced that music is a blessing; indeed, some feel that it acts as an impediment to good performance at work. Mahafreed Irani, a journalist, affirms, "Music doesn't help and, at times, the songs are very annoying. Not everyone enjoys trance, and rock for that matter. Just because a few enjoy, everyone else is also forced to listen to them. It also hampers our work schedule since one song is played again and again."

Irani's view is not shared by the majority, who like to enjoy their day's work in the most relaxed manner possible. For them, music is the shortest route to bliss which they love to experience even while working."

While some prefer as much silence as possible to do their most productive work in, others are inspired by specific types of soothing music. What about you?

Tell me whether you are inspired or distracted by music in your working place... and if enjoyed, what type of music do you work best to... I'd love to hear from you.

Have a great few days until I talk to you again.

Warmly, Carolyn

www.innerfitness.ca

P.S. Our "Becoming the BEST YOU Possible" eBook Package will be available for purchase in a matter of days now!!! Stay tuned.

10 Questions To Ask Yourself Each Day

Hi!
I have just a quick moment before I race out the door to get a lot of little tasks done before our business trip to Tucson, Arizona on Monday, but I wanted to pass on this link to a short 1-minute video by fellow Work and Life Balance Speaker, Jim Bennett.

A nice little video posing the 10 questions to ask yourself at the end of each day, to (in his words) “follow the Tao.” Thanks, Jim.

Click on this link... I think you'll like the questions he poses, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--jRqly6zyU

Warmly, Carolyn
www.innerfitness.ca

P.S. As soon as we're back from Tucson, I'll have a pre-launch special to offer you on our new "Becoming the BEST YOU Possible" eBook!

Awe Is Present Each Day... If Our Senses Are Attuned

The morning light's arrival at the early hour of 5:30am has become my time of awakening these days... and it pleases me. Being a morning person, I adore getting up (quietly while the rest of my sweet family sleeps) and going for a walk on our mountainside.

At that hour of the morning, it is like I have the world to myself and the stillness is incredible. It sounds silly to say this, but the silence is actually "loud." There are no people sounds anywhere! No automobiles, no lawn mowers, no children, nothing except me and the happily chirping birds.

Last week in my blog entry, I attached this amazing quote;
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." Quote by George Carlin

This quote touched and stayed with me all week! It is my early morning walks that are currently filling me with the greatest moments of breath taking awe recently. For example, as I climbed our steep driveway this morning, I caught the heavenly scent of something before even realizing that it was the apple blossoms on our tree... amazed that I'd never noticed how fragrant they are before.

((C) 2006 Photograph by Carolyn Clarke, all rights reserved)

I made the steep decent down to the local beach and perched myself on a big boulder looking out on the incredible stillness of the inlet... the entire body of water (10 miles long) just like a sheet of glass! Not a sound... not a single sound stirred for approximately 6 or 7 minutes, before a small fishing vessel fired up its engine a few miles up the coast. Nature offers such a surreal meditation. This is the incredible beauty that I am talking about...

((C)2006 Photograph by Carolyn Clarke, all rights reserved)

How fortunate that spring in full force is what pulls me into my greatest life balance "tool"... the outdoors with my Self.

As I huffed and puffed the entire way back up the mountain after my beach meditation, I thought about the dramatic difference we'll see in vegetation between the lush greenery that is abundant here right now, to the stark dryness of the Arizona desert we will experience next week.

Richard and I leave next Monday to teach another seminar for the Core Training Summit Conference, always a great experience. We LOVE the dry climate of the desert country and look forward to our time with the group, as well as the playtime we'll take after the event.

Set your senses out for the little awe-inspiring moments in each of your days. These moments are everywhere around us, IF we have our senses out to experience them.

Happy Day, love Carolyn!

www.innerfitness.ca

P.S. Upon our return from Arizona I will have the quirky kinks worked out of my first-built website and will have a launch date (with a Special Offer!) for our eBook to tell you about. We are THAT close!

"One Prayer" For World Peace

In keeping with the Inner Fitness(R) theme of creating healthy, balanced relationships, I couldn't resist sharing a special video with you. It speaks of the relationship of ALL people of the world... and it made an impact on me today.

Working to balance our personal and work life is important and valuable and honourable... but extending out beyond our OWN lives into the lives of ALL those around the planet is becoming increasingly important, too. Our world has become small and intolerance loud... emphasizing how vital it is to extend care to all those around us more than ever before.

Click on this link to view Karl Anthony singing his song, entitled, "One Prayer." http://youtube.com/watch?v=BQeeZDkMCUQ

This song has an important message for our world today, so please share it around.

Warmly, Carolyn
www.innerfitness.ca

How To Measure Life

Welcome!

What a busy time, what with spring's unfolding and the improvement projects that come with it. Here's spring in our back yard right now... my all-time favourite flowering tree, the Magnolia!

Of course, I'm also busy working away putting the finishing touches on our website for our eBook launch, soon to happen now.


One of my special readers sent me a great quote the other day... one that really spoke to me!
I just HAVE to share it with you, too.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." Quote by George Carlin

Stop long enough from your important busyness to notice the small and amazing things and happenings around you. Be open to the wonderous, for "it" is everywhere around you! These moments are what life balance is REALLY about.

Warmly, Carolyn

www.innerfitness.ca

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

Why Love Heals: How Friendships Keep You Healthy

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Are you wearing any green today? (Were Richard's Mom Amy still with us, she'd be celebrating her 107th birthday today... she was such a sweet lady, a real "Scottie"!)

A quick little update first and then I have an interesting article for you to read about the healing value of friendships.

Our newly completed eBook, "Becoming the BEST YOU Possible" and two bonuses have now been turned into PDF files, a necessary step for us to be able to deliver them through email... so this step is now ready for operation.

We're now working to make it possible to deliver our Relaxation guided meditation in the same way, for it to come into your computer as a sound file. We're also working to make our website able to facilitate the whole sale transaction for a seamless, easy purchase. Soon, soon, soon!

As you recall, I have emphasized the real importance of including friendships in our work and life balance equation. Thanks to MSN Lifestyle: Boomers for a good article posted today, entitled;

Why Love Heals: How Friendships Keep You Healthy
Written (well) By Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge, MD

Here are a few of the opening paragraphs...

"There is an actual, physical chunk of brain that runs your emotions called the limbic brain. You can trace its development back a hundred million years. You can see it on an MRI. Every second you spend with other people, your limbic brain is tuning in to them, being changed by their moods, and changing theirs in turn. It's a constant, life-affirming limbic dance.

Experimental psychologists have known for decades that we share moods. If you don't believe me, just think of the people who make you feel better simply by walking into a room. These sorts of interactions feel so good (directly and unconsciously) that we would wither away without them. This is why you should never underrate the emotional side of your life.

Women are better than men at keeping the limbic dance going by working to ensure that families stay connected as the years go by and by building lasting friendships and deep connections from the many different aspects of their lives. High school and college friends, friends from work, friends from raising children together, from neighborhood committees, from shared vacations -- sure, some of these bonds and friendships fall away as part of the natural cycle of growing and changing, but most women find new friendships to replace them. Women who don't find close friendships, who have trouble keeping up connections, need to make an effort to change those patterns.

Hundreds of research studies confirm that isolation hurts us and connection heals us through the same physical mechanisms as exercise and healthy diet. Blood vessels are measurably more elastic, the heart's ability to respond to extraordinary demands is higher, cardiac inflammatory protein levels are lower, and blood pressure response to exercise is better in more connected people. Their stress-hormone blood profiles are also measurably healthier than those of isolated people."

For the remainder of the article, click here...

http://boomers.msn.com/articleLHJ.aspx?cp-documentid=376471&GT1=9206

Enjoy! So, stay tuned for my next update.

Here's to getting together with your (green) friends today, afterall, it is Saturday and St. Patrick's Day, too.

Warmly, Carolyn

Inner Fitness(R) Programs

www.innerfitness.ca

www.a-balanced-life.com