photo credit: amiefedora

Well, I am back in the acrylics again. In the middle of an incredibly busy summer, with appointments stacked, and a wellness program that is having amazing results, I find that I still cannot get away from the acrylics for long.

I waited for a season for the client to send me the references needed to paint their homestead, and now it is here. So now I must paint. Get the job done. And even though I was not in an “express myself” mode, I am pleased with the way this picture is turning out.

Good thing. I have another commission assignment waiting behind it.

After at least a 6 month hiatus from painting, it is good to get my hands messy again.

I am currently teaching a workshop on Stress Balance, encouraging others to take care of themselves, and get back to what centers them the most.

In all of my program writing, class teaching and appointment setting, I had forgotten how much a messy palette, lotsa brushes, and classical music helped me feel centered again. In all of the busyness – keeping active boys focused during the summer, and building a growing business, I still need to take time to do things for me. As a mom and wife, sometimes I get so busy, I forget me. Funny how I have written a program that teaches self-care.

funny.

Like reading a good book. Self-help books and biographies are what I pursue most, since I feel more productive reading them…but what if we took the time to enjoy a novel? fiction?

What is we dared to put together a puzzle? (The only time we get them out is during holiday.)

I know we all have some major demands being put upon us in this economy, and we need to keep priorities to get the job done.

But part of my teaching, (and what I am having to recognize myself) is that part of THE JOB is to take care of ourselves along the way.

What are you doing to take care of you today?

Open a book.

Get out a 1000 piece puzzle.

Go buy a white canvas.

Express yourself, today.

We are all an artist at heart.

Upcoming schedule at life’s journey Wellness

We have put together a schedule for the series of Care4U Stress Balance workshop classes, over the next few months. Each class covers a category of the life balance assessment chart. Every participant will go home with great resources, tools, and personal assessments to be more empowered to accomplish, with a focus on what they want to accomplish. There is also a great incentive “self-care” contest to carry us through the next 30 days, until the next class. We will have some great rewards for those that participate. How awesome is it to be rewarded for taking care of ourselves??

But the reality is that we do not. So many I speak with are care-givers in some capacity, whether at work, as in the medical industry, or at home with family. Many ladies I meet are so overwhelmed with the many obligations they feel for others, that they place themselves last.

This series is designed to help us realize how much more we can offer to others when we take some time and prioritize taking good care of ourself. We will be  a better mom, wife, business-owner, employee, friend, and we will have peace through ANY storm we may encounter.

Check back with my calendar here, or with Life’s Journey, and join us for a Friday eve once a month at 6 pm.

Sometimes, the best thing we can do for others around us, is make sure are taking proper care of ourselves.