Why is it that every time I find myself in the woods, I feel like a kid. I must have loved to climb things in my childhood. For sure I was the tomboy, but I haven’t thought about what I was like as a kid till just this year. The more time I spend in the woods on my mountain bike and in the trails hiking, the more enjoyment I am having while gaining some great health benefits.

What a cool place to be, and I don’t just mean The Okanagan Valley. I mean in life. To have found that this place right now is such a great space to be in. It has occurred to me that the more opportunities I introduce my clients to, the more I realize how much I am personally rewarded. Not just in seeing ‘them’ excel in new endeavors but the enhancement of my own well being.

So who instigates ‘the doing’ in your life? And do you find balance with all that there is that consumes your time? What I mean is, are you ‘time’ one sided? Is your balance scale weighing heavy on sedentary activities of overindulgence or over doing downright lazy? Do you go too far the other end where all you do is physical activity? Perhaps you are doing everything so that your children have all their balance but in the process you lose the way? Or, all you do is work?

Sure balance is the answer. But what’s the question(s)? Ah……..good one. I say it is: Do you want balance? Do you value balance and all that it offers? Will you ’stop’ or wake up long enough to take a look at your ’space’ and determine if you need to tip the scales in any given direction? Simple questions, tough reality check for some.

Take it on and see what you come up with. Write it down. Look at an average calendar month. Have you given time accordingly to health/family/self/career….etc.? Not only given it time but used the time in that component to nurture what you want it to look and feel like?

For example: I value time with friends. I like feeling accepted, validated, respected, supported and loved. I get a great deal of enjoyment out of being a friend and so time with friends is included in my time budget. Above all, I value my health. Partnering valued components of health and friends, helps free up my time budget. I now have more available time in my time sensitive life. Today’s hike supported three components. Health, friends and career and I had fun!

List the components of your life that take up your time. Ask yourself what feelings come from time spent in that component. You’ll discover very quickly if you value ‘it’. You may realize you are giving time to something that you clearly don’t value or there is little enjoyment during that time. This new perspective may inspire a renewed allocation of your time that leads to a more balanced lifestyle.

Or you may just get that confirmation that ‘yes’ I have ‘it’. This is what Liz is talking about. No wonder I feel great and happy and content. Good on you! Welcome to the second act!