Balance-- My 2012 Word of the Year

I know this is a craft blog, but I hope you will allow me this one indulgence at sharing my power word for 2012.   

BALANCE.

At the end of 2011, I was ragged.  I had spent my year running, but not moving anywhere.  My days and nights were filled to overflowing-- but I had nothing to show for it.  When I began to think of the New Year and all the exciting possibilities that a mental fresh start could provide, "balance" popped into my head almost immediately.

I don't want to give up anything up there on my list and luckily, I don't have to.  I just need to learn to pace myself.  Not my strong suit, as I am mostly an all or nothing kind of girl.

 

RELATIONSHIPS:   I really, really love people.  I truly do. I love to know about what they think, what they are excited about, and what we share in common.  But sometimes, I can get more involved in others lives than my own.   While it is great to feel empathy and feel that connection, I need to be able to go only as a vistor--- not as a resident.  

HEATH:  Man, I stink at this.  Ten months after I got married, I had a baby and then had three more in the next four years.  I felt I had to put my needs on the back burner to be a good mom.  Now, my baby is eight and the kids are doing just fine on their own.  I have got to once again remember that I need to have a part in my "take care of everyone" mentality.  It's time to remember that to be the best mom, I have to make sure my needs are met.  Darn it.  It is so much easier taking care of others!

SERVICE:  And speaking of taking care of others... I love to serve.  Or, I guess I should say... I can't say NO to any service opportunity.  :)  I don't want to lose that part about me, but I do want to put it in some sort of balance.  And part of that means an introduction of a seldom used word into my vocabulary... NO. 

PROJECTS/TIME/BUSINESS GROWTH:  I feel like these three are always battling for my attention.  I go round in circles trying to do them all simultaneously and end up doing a half baked job on each one.  Boo.  I want part of my balance this year to include giving each of those things the full attention it deserves.

FUN/WORK/LIFE:  I think every parent is trying to find the balance in this one!  :)  Living a full life with my family means that we have to mix in equal parts of FUN and WORK.  I want to continue working on that balance with my relationships with my children and husband... and with me!  

Thanks for indulging me and my ramblings.  Do you  have a word of the year you'd like to share?  Link up with Layla at her "This Little Word of Mine" party.  I'd love to see what word you chose... and WHY! :)

Happy Balanced New Year, everyone!

(all images of BALANCE via Pinterest)