Heads up, rant ahead…
It infuriates me to hear this idea that is constantly being blasted around the media these days to “balance your life, pull back, say no, take care of yourself, seek a stress-free life” as a means to greater fulfillment because it’s a lie!
Now I am all for responsible self-care that brings out the best in us. In fact, I even teach that in my LYV class with the creation of Your Own Rules For Optimal Living. But it is NOT with the intention of ridding ourselves of all stress.
I do not think women will be their best when their biggest focus is to seek comfort, balance and inner harmony! And that is what the media continually proposes as a solution to our unhappiness. Life is full of challenges that are meant to help us grow and expand our capabilities. Vacation, spas, early retirement…that is what they call the good life. I call that a waste of life.
If you are seeking to make the most of your life – it is not going to come at the hair salon, spa or in the bathtub.
It is going to take work!
We, as women, MUST do the work to find out what our unique gifts are and develop them to use them to serve others. THAT is the key to joy and fulfillment.
You are hardwired to nurture, make things better around you and give. So being really focused on just meeting your own needs is going to be counter to your nature and a pathway for isolation and regret (and in my opinion…boring).
So that said, I am super concerned about all I hear in the media and from women who say I just have to “pull back”, “say no”, or “pamper myself more”. It’s nice at first and for a very short time, but you can guarantee you are headed into a life that is depressing and unfulfilling if that becomes where you live.
It is when you shine brightly, let go of what others think, are unconcerned about the result, roll with disappointments, and recycle your pain for the benefit of others that you will find joy, passion, meaning, and connection. This is how we women are energized and feel alive!
And yes, that will include healthy amounts of stress in our lives! I do mean healthy…seeking zero gravity makes us weak and sick…certain levels of stress make us strong and confident.
So if you are caught up constantly dreaming about your next retreat – wondering why you are not happy but unsatisfied and always exhausted…then maybe you should think about using your energy not to pull back and pamper yourself but to discover what gifts you’ve been given, make more out of them and offer them to others. It’s funny how energy begets more energy, like exercising, doesn’t make you tired but rather invigorated.
My dad used to say about anything electrical – that for it to work its best, it must be run regularly. We too were made to run on all cylinders to be our best.
I actually had to interrupt two different women the other day that were spiraling down. Both were convinced it was time to pull back, let their dreams go and have a more relaxing and easy life and I could hear it in their voices: the defeat, the discouragement and doubt – all creeping around both of them like a pack of hyenas getting ready to pounce. They needed a good strong reminder to lift out of the doldrums and about who they both were, what they were passionate about, what they had already accomplished and why they were here. Maybe you do too. Beware of all the messages that tell you otherwise.
You will never live life to the full from the bathtub!
So this is my cry…where are you women of faith? Ready to give all? Ready to enjoy the energy, joy and satisfaction that comes from using your gifts fully?
I am calling out the faith-filled determined passionate women ready to make more out of their lives and a difference in this world that are reading this right now. Are you one of them?
Save the date for Saturday, June 20, 2020 for Live Your Vision Live 2020.
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