Balance: The Art of Finding & Maintaining

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“You get what anybody gets - you get a lifetime.” 
― Neil Gaiman, The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes

I regret that I have been abandoning this blog. For a very long time it was my project, the thing that I looked forward to every morning as I was enjoying my cup of coffee. Lately however, I have spent much of my time and focus on another blog; a writing project that I am not prepared to show all of you yet. Surprisingly, I have built quite the audience and it has fueled my desire to continue writing and to continue cultivating. Despite my enthusiasm, I have realized that I have been neglectful of previous passions and long to find balance in the symmetry of all my endeavors. 

My goals for May can be summarized in one word: Balance.  Balance for many can be a difficult thing to maintain. It's easy to get sidetracked, to find yourself quitting. After all is it worth it? Am I wasting my time? The answer is simple. No. 

A few weeks back I read a quote that smacked me in the face. 

"Do one thing a day that makes your dream a reality."

Regardless of what that one thing should be, it makes perfect sense. It won't happen overnight. You won't roll over one morning and find your dream wrapped in a big, beautiful red bow. It takes small efforts, day in and day out. Even if you don't want to commit to the time to make it happen. Excuses, will not make you successful. 

There have been many times over the last few weeks where I have sat behind a keyboard and cursed at my inability to put something on the page. It was like pulling teeth, which in hindsight would have be more appealing. But, I did it anyway. I wrote and I wrote crap. But I still did it. 

Balance. 

Such a hefty word. 

Is there a simple solution? One can argue that there is. But in my opinion it takes time, and takes skill. One can find balance by prioritizing and finding the time to make each of your goals more attainable. Again, excuses need to be left at the door. Easier said than done, but again, small efforts will be rewarded in the long run. 

My goal is find balance. With this blog, with my other blog, my 5 mile runs that I have committed myself to at least 3 times a week. 

Happy Hour Readers: Have you abandoned a passion lately? How do you maintain balance? 

Don't Judge Me But...

Don't judge me but, the idea for this post was not my own. Regretfully. Creativity, at the moment, is something I am lacking. It is a little after four and my exhaustion is setting in. Unfortunately my best ideas only seem to pop up between the hours of 2 am and 4 am as I toss and turn struggling to fall asleep. Yet, I don't write them down like I should, and end up forgetting my own brilliance. It's such a tangled mess. Anyways, enough about my rambling. I discovered this post from Simone who maintains the blog "The Bottom of the Ironing Basket." I loved this simple idea of the post and decided to write one like it. So here it goes...

Don't judge me but...

I am terrible at directions. 

In fact I am so terrible, that I have to search for another human being to give directions when someone asks me. I point, I stutter, I call out landmarks. 

I tend to over-analyze every situation I am in. 

I plot numerous outcomes both positive and negative and obsess over which will actually happen. 

I love the taste of wine far too much. 

In fact I am dreaming about a glass of Merlot as I type. 

I hate the camera. 

I try to stay away from it as much as I can. 

I prefer to be alone at times. 

Sometimes all I want is complete and utter solitude, a great magazine, and again, uh hem, a glass of wine. 

I do not have a big sweet tooth. 

I would rather have a big plate of french fries. 

I love food yet I have a fear of gaining weight. 

At this point I should get a trophy for will power. 

I cry a lot. 

It doesn't matter what the trigger may be; movies, television shows, concerts, quotes, great novels, or a great song, I will cry. 

One leg is longer than the other. 

It makes balancing very difficult at times. Which is why I should also ask you not to judge me when it comes to this: I walk into walls. 

I don't go to church. 

Sometimes when I do, I feel overwhelmed. 

I curse. 

Sometimes "fuck" is the only word that makes the kind of impact I want. 

After too much whiskey I slur my words like a true Bostonian. 

I am not from Boston, although this is something that I tell people in the south because "New Hampshire" apparently wasn't on their map in school. 

I tend to be bit dramatic. 

It's a shame I never took an acting class. 

I never played a team sport when I was younger. 

While everyone was joining a basketball team or playing baseball, I opted out. The only time I wanted to play a team sport is when I developed a love for hockey. When I asked my Dad however, he said that hockey would "ruin my pretty face."

I have never been to New York City.

Although I often dream of living a "Carrie Bradshaw" kind of lifestyle. 

I am terrible at math.

I count on my fingers, use a calculator or ask someone who is far more intelligent than me. 

I am not utilizing my college degree.

This is something that my parents have a hard time dealing with. I honestly at times, do not know what the hell I want to do. Why can't I apply for the wine-making, vineyard-owning, brilliant published writer, living in a sweet beach home, position? That's what I want. I'll get a degree in that. 

I have curly hair and if I go to bed with it wet, I wake up a stellar version of Diana Ross. 

Not much more to say there. 

High heels kill my feet

I wear them anyway.

I don't own a pair of skinny jeans or leggings. 

I got thighs and a booty and some people simply cannot pull off that look. I am one of them. 

I hold on to things far too tightly. 

I guess a part of me just wonders if such wonderful things can happen more than once.

I am utterly fascinated with Marilyn Monroe. 

She had a keen desire to be loved, yet I don't know if she ever really found it. Admired yes, lusted after yes, but did she ever find that heart-wrenching, beautiful, volatile, love that she desired? 

Last one. 

I cannot for the life of me pronounce "apocalypse".

If the zombies were coming you would hear me stuttering like Rob Schneider in Big Daddy: 

hip...hip-hop...hiponoumous. 

YOU GIVE HIM THE EASY ONES!

Personal: April Goals

Where the heck did March go? I can't believe it is already the 28th and the Color Me Rad 5k is in 2 days! Because it is the end of the month, I decided I need to sit down and start writing my goals for April. And I'll tell you what, I am so excited to have the chance to start over, and make myself not only better, but continue to grow as an adult. I have maintained a vast majority of my March goals and I am very proud of myself. In the past month I have really pushed myself physically and the results are starting to show. Now that I have increased my stamina on a variety of levels, I am ready to start pushing my body even further. One thing that I have yet to master, although I have been careful, is my diet. I need to "clean it up" and start eliminating the processed junk. With that being said, here are some of my goals for April:

Physically

Log some serious hours at gym which includes 4-5 sessions of cardio a week and incorporating weight training. 

Continue to practice yoga

I never knew I  could do a yoga headstand but I challenged myself and got into one. I am going to focus on mastering the pose and increasing strength, flexibility, and agility. 

Clean up the diet:

I am going to start prepping my lunches for the week on Sunday evening. I want to make sure that I have several healthy choices available to me at work and before/after workouts. I also want to start walking during my lunch break to burn more calories. 

Get some definition in my abs:

Ugh. Abs are so difficult and I know they come with a clean diet and lots of cardio, etc.

Plank, Plank, Plank. 

Creatively

April Photo-A-Day Challenge

Maintain my Creative Writing Blog

Paint

Journal

Draw

Around the home:

Spring Cleaning

I want to tidy up the yard, put up the gazebo, and clean out the garage. 

Maybe go to Bed, Bath and Beyond.

If I have time.

Happy Hour Readers: What are your April Goals 

Personal: March Goals

Although I have stayed true to the majority of my New Year's Resolutions, I find myself wanting to up the ante (sort of speak). Deep down I know that I can do more to improve my overall sense of health and well-being both physically and mentally as this year continues. I am happy to report that I have officially signed up for my first 5k in Chattanooga, and I couldn't be more excited. With that being said, I need to start training harder so I can run the race without much hesitation. I have never been a runner, but I have grown to love my training sessions at the gym as well as my weekend runs. Unfortunately, a hip injury from over exertion has side-lined my workout regimen and I have fallen off the bandwagon. Luckily, its a start of a new month and I can get my butt back into the gym and accomplish the goals I have set forth. I can also reflect on the positive changes I have made the last two months regardless of a little slip-ups,such as:

I gave up energy drinks. 

I was a 2-a-day-er. I loved Red Bull and the insane amount of concentration it gave me. It wasn't until a minor panic attack at my desk and an accelerated heart rate that I realized I needed to stop. 

I started drinking more green tea

No sodas, no sugary drinks, just natural green tea with natural sweetener

Water became my best friend 

Sure I was in the bathroom a lot, but I was less bloated, my skin looked better, and I felt more energized. 

Replaced hardly eating to eating small meals a couple times a day

Learned to love Greek yogurt as well. 

Incorporated weights into work-outs

Love the burn!

BUT... I have new goals for the month. Although I am going to continue doing the things listed above I want to do the following:

Physically:

Commit to working out in the morning before work 

Ugh. this is going to be tough but I want more time in the evenings to spend time with friends and loved ones. 

A Plank A Day No Matter What:

(1 minute or more!)

Planks are awesome for your abs and I want a nice flat tummy for bikini season

Healthier Dinners:

I tend to eat healthy all day then blow it with an extra spoonful of pasta. I must execute better self control! I have found several new healthy recipes on Pinterest and I can't wait to try them.

Run, Run, Run:

At least 3 times a week. No excuses. 3 miles, 30 minutes. I can do this. Please hold me accountable, if I start making excuses. 

Regain flexibility in my back:

I did a back bend the other day and my muscles screamed in happiness. What a truly wonderful stretch. 

Emotionally, Spiritually, Etc. 

Join the Photo-a-day challenge:

I am joining Fat Mum Slim's Photo Challenge to stimulate my creative side. 

Reserve time for me:

I tend to forget about myself at times. I need to reserve time where I can just sit and relax. 

Find Free Lance Writing Opportunities

I need to write more and improve my portfolio. 

Blog, Blog. Blog

After all this is what I love to do and I want to continue inspiring those who read. 

With that being said: 

Happy Hour Readers: What are your plans for March? 

x-o-x-o Kristina