BALANCE – 2024

As my readers know, I choose a word that encapsulates my aspirations and serves as my compass as a New Year unfolds.

This year, “Balance” is the world. You may recall that in 2023, my word was Clarity. And the Universe delivered. The process was not always pretty. Seeking personal growth through clarity calls for self-introspection and self-awareness. Doing so helps us uncover traits we would prefer to keep hidden while making difficult decisions to address these shadowy parts of ourselves. It takes courage to assume responsibility for where we fail, acknowledge the need for change, and summon the strength to address and elevate ourselves.

Seeking Clarity in 2023 led me to seek “Balance” in 2024. Drowning myself in work and related activities where the self is neglected in favor of others must be acknowledged as a part of my shadow self and unhealthy behavior. For a while, I had stopped sewing and devoting time to the creative DIY activities that keep me grounded, optimistic, and enthusiastic about life. And it was starting to show. I was tired most of the time, unable to gather the energy needed for self-care and give the people I love and cherish the attention they deserve in return for their caring for me. And let’s be honest. Work and career as I knew and practiced them no longer held the same appeal and had the same flavor. This type of existence was getting stale. Deep inside, I feel the need to contribute to the collective differently, using my acquired wisdom, experience, and thought leadership from a nearly 40-year career to higher use. As a result, I am making time in my schedule and accepting more invitations to share what I have learned through professional short articles on LinkedIn, guest participation on podcasts, and knowledge transfers at conferences and seminars. I have a few upcoming engagements in the next weeks. Stay tuned as I share them and fine-tune my purpose.

I am also intentional about how I use my time. I go out in the evenings for fun activities as long as these will bring me joy. Not long ago, only an evening at home in peace was fun. Well, I am learning it is a very narrow definition of fun. And so, starting on New Year’s Eve, I regularly attend birthday parties, concerts, dining, and dancing. These events have brought me much Joy.

I am releasing and using my power by expressing my wants and desires. Suppressing them for years has not consistently, if not ever, resulted in successful outcomes. A couple of times, this fear of expressing myself has damaged some friendships because I did not feel powerful enough to express my needs and wants when I thought it would lead to conflicts and misunderstandings. I believe these lost friendships have taught me that my behavior was unhealthy. I learned that it is ok to disappoint other people when acquiescing to their demands and living up to their expectations caused a misalignment, leaving me with a bitter taste. I also came to understand that this tendency came from years of a past life and learned to forgive myself for spending so many years in an emotionally immature relationship. What matters most is not to disappoint me by acting in a way that does not pay justice to my evolution. Doing so in a way that does not hurt people requires balance. I am in for it.

I also learned that letting go and letting God, or trusting in the Universe, does not mean staying and passively waiting for a turn in events just because I deserve it or have tried my best to live a life of principles. I am fully aware that I am responsible for visioning, preparing for, and taking the necessary steps leading to a satisfying turn of events by being proactive. And so, I am working on my plans for the next five years as I transition to a life with more creative, passionate initiatives for my continued growth and evolution and fulfilling my Purpose in Joy.

I invite you along.

And I wish you, my faithful readers, the best for 2024.

Much Love.