A Better you
Extended family often comes next. We
must make time to check in our par-
ents, grandparents, siblings and their
families. Being present in these rela-
tionships is essential. Call and visit
whenever possible and try to be avail-
able when you are needed.
For many, friends are the balance that
keep them grounded. If this is the
case, continue to develop these rela-
tionships as harmoniously as possible.
Real, true friends often become fami-
ly. Don’t just say you will make time
for them, make the time.
Activities and roles outside of work,
family, and friends must also be bal-
anced in our lives. If you are active
in the community, continue to make
time to be involved. If you have been
blessed with the talent or ability to
help others, follow your calling.
Upon reflecting once again on my
many relationships, I find my pri-
orities shifting often. My balance is
much different now than it was a year
ago. Opportunities have come my way
and changed who I am. What hasn’t
changed are my relationships with im-
mediate family and work. It is crucial
for me to ensure I am provided for, so
work will be a priority while I am at
work. My children and grandchildren
will always be a high priority, but even
my relationship with them has shift-
ed. I am not needed like I used to be,
so while I will do whatever is neces-
sary to make sure these relationships
maintain significant, I can pour ener-
gy into other connections. The rela-
tionship I have with my boyfriend re-
mains substantial, so he gets the best
parts of me. The community also gets
the best parts of me with my advoca-
cy for domestic violence. My extended
family and friends get much less of me
than they used to, where they used to
get most of my attention. As we grow
and develop, we find ourselves shift-
ing our balance.
The only role, or relationship, I didn’t
mention is the one we have with our-
selves. Self-care is critical, but we will
get into that in my next column.
In closing, it is essential to have bal-
ance in your life and it is certainly ac-
ceptable to change your balance. It is
okay to take energy you normally re-
serve for one relationship to give to an-
other. Jobs and activities will change,
your children will grow, family gets
busy, friends come and go; the only
constant you have is yourself. You can
only deal with the shifts in your life
if you balance them out. I encourage
you to give to the relationships you are
building in your life, whatever they
may be.
The relationships you choose to nur-
ture and balance are up to you. What
is important to you? Till next month,
stay positive and be empowered.
Much love.
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