Balance
Photo by 青 晨 on Unsplash
Is it just me, or do you, dear reader, have the tendency to get wrapped up in a project at the expense of other things? For example, publishing a blog post every week and then getting overwhelmed by that task, and by all the other things that are getting left undone?
I deliberated if it was time to move on from this blog. I wondered if I was still making a difference. Then a few things happened:
A dear friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I was glad to be able to offer her encouragement.
I believed there was no history of breast cancer in my family, then recently found out that is not the case. Having information about family history will be helpful to all parties involved.
I found out that on the podcast “The Burn,” the episode where I share my piece “Ink” was among their top ten downloads for 2023.
Hmmmm… I guess my assignment isn’t done yet.
So, the blog is back. This being the beginning of January, it’s time for the word of the year - that handy tool that is more flexible than New Year’s resolutions, yet helps keep you on track.
I have chosen the word BALANCE for 2024.
Balance - a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.
I like the second part of that definition - “in the correct proportions.” This idea implies that change is possible, and may even be necessary. If we have set an impossible goal for ourselves (like posting weekly with no end date in sight!) we can give ourselves permission to change the goal to achieve needed balance.
There’s so much more to life than just cancer - books to read, creative endeavors to explore, dear people to spend time with, just to name a few - but cancer is part of my story, and if my story can help someone else along the way, I need to continue to make myself available.
It’s all a matter of balance.