"Life Move" Tips-Day 2 SOLSC! #Sol2021

In the midst of a new life move, I need to slow down. There is so much to do; I rush around, jumping from small job to large one. Multitasking is no longer a plausible way to get to the bottom of my to-do list, nor is worrying about the move. What I need to do is seek balance when life becomes heavy. 

Balance was my guide word, my one word last year but you know what kind of year that was! I am ready for a small step plan. 

Tips for Today.

Breathe in. Exhale. - Pack with focus. - Find silver linings in what I do.

Pause intermittently. - Be grateful for small accomplishments.

Writing is a daily practice, an opening of my heart to the whispers of my soul. 

This post is the second in my March Musings 2021 series for Two Writing Teachers' March SOLSC! #SOL21. You can access the site here to read what the other slicers are saying as they begin Day 2 of their March Slice of Life writing journey. 

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since 2015

Balancing My Days During Quarantine Life

In the midst of COVID-19, instead of life slowing down considerably, it is full of activity. This makes balancing a difficult act at this time. 

The pandemic caused me to reflect constantly. What was happening to life as I knew it? and How can I find happiness in the midst of sorrow? were questions I asked. The following quote by C. G. Jung brought some ideas into focus. "Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness and the word 'happiness' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness." Thinking back on January 1, 2020, I remembered that I started the year with one word, balance, and a renewed spirit of commitment. I welcomed in a new decade with the statement, "Cease the busyness to find evocative moments to savor." That I did when my new granddaughter, Aurora, was born with a sweetness about her and a loving smile that makes any heart melt. Then, the pandemic erupted and threw me off course. 

Fear was everywhere. Sadness increased each day. As the days turned into months shifts in lifestyles occurred. My once-known normalcy was lost but faith and trust lifted me up. "A just balance and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are His work." Proverb 16:11, shined a light in both dark days and ones filled with a commitment to take baby steps forward. 

Quarantine life continued to focus on finding balance in troubled waters. To be honest, the beginning months were tough. Yoga classes were suspended and unfortunately, my exercise routine dwindled down to nothing. Perhaps, this reasoning will suffice. At the end of February, my husband and I made a leap-of-faith decision to build a new home in Virginia for the next chapter in our life story. This strategic move places me 30 minutes away from my daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters. My sister even decided to jump in and build a home on one of the few homesites left. With hope and faith, I worked virtually for months with the design team to build this new home. 

Arriving home today from a quick-paced 3-day visit with the construction team, design studio consultant, and looking for new furniture has left me exhausted but not as unbalanced as I have felt. The memories of my granddaughters' smiles and laugher will keep me happy and ready to push forward. Follow my story in the weeks to come as I move through the next phase of selling my house and packing decades of memories along with items for the move. Whew! 

Before the Pre-Dry Wall Walkthrough

Tonight and tomorrow, I host Spiritual Journey Thursday with long-distant friends who gather together as a committed community of writers under the new leadership of Margaret Simon. Join me here all day tomorrow for thoughts on balancing our days during quarantine life.

Add your Spiritual Journey Thursday blog post link below.

Reflection on Balance-SJT & SOLSC 5

Last night, a determined Nik Wallenda walked a tightrope over The Jaws of Death, an active volcano. I was struck by his fearless pursuit of the art of balancing, his quest to overcome fear, and fervent faith. With razor-sharp confidence, Nik modeled for the millions of viewers what balance looks like in the face of challenge. His amazing walk influenced mine. 

Balancing life,

one step in front of the other,

evenly distributing weight

to remain upright and steady.

How many times, 

have I lost my balance, 

my symmetry? 

Finding it takes practice,

courage to walk 

the tightrope of life

with faith.

©CV, 2020

 Nik Wallenda walks over an active volcano.

It's Spiritual Journey Thursday and Fran Haley is hosting at her blog post, 
Lilt Bits and Pieces with an interesting perspective on balance.

Each year since March 2015, I engage in Two Writing Teacher's Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. 

Slicing allows me to ponder life, literacy, and learning, capturing small moments poetically

through writing, photography, and digital art. 

Day 5 of 31 days of writing March Slice of Life 2020 Story Challenge

at Two Writing Teachers.

Seasonal Bliss-SJT

This year, I am on a journey to discover a balanced life. There are many facets to my journey. Being rooted in faith is a fundamental element. Spiritual rooting is essential but I also need physical rooting. In the yoga studio, I work diligently to root each foot into the earth before readying myself for balance poses. Finding a healthy balance in life is my quest for this year. 

One consistent step to finding balance, my 2020 one word, is to observe nature's symmetry. Stepping outside to see the beauty of a winter day can be enough but a walk at the beach is exhilarating.

Inspiring scripture verses also guide my journey. Ecclesiastes 3:1 connects faith, balance, and nature, "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven." In 1966, Judy Collins beautifully shared the scripture verse with Pete Seeger's song. This gentle tune brings reflective time to ponder my thoughts on seasonal bliss and the importance of balance.

The song also leads to play with language and write about nature that lifts my thoughts as I coddywomple through life.

The unique word coddywomple was introduced to me by my poety writing colleague and photographer, Molly Hogan. I found it as a hashtag on Twitter and Instagram. The definition of coddiwomple is to travel in a purposeful manner toward a vague destination. The word inspired me to create the above digital inspiration with another writing buddy's (Ramona Behnke) one word light that is an uplifting word by itself.

Travel in a purposeful manner.

Treading lightly on the paths you cross.

On your way seek and enjoy

each one of nature's beautiful seasonal delights. 

As host of Spiritual Journey Thursday, I invite you to add your thoughts on seasonal bliss below. Do you sense it? Where do you find nature's bliss? Why is it important? Enjoy your reflection time and continue to find the beauty of the seasons. 

Evening Balance

dreams dangle on threads of silken thoughts

luring us on to capture each one

evening shadows blanket each dream
©CV, 2020

created in Buncee

It is in the noticing and wondering stage that creativity sprouts seeds. The potential of the creative mind is limitless. I need to know that my sweetest dreams can grow into thoughts that dangle on silken threads waiting to be realized. I write to capture each one, balancing them in the pendulum of life.

My #OneWord2020 Balance in evening light

I send my Slice of Life on to Two Writing Teachers

and #EduBlogYear.

#OneWord2020

As winter settles in with green landscapes and warmth, a sense of newness surrounds. Neighborhood streets reflect a quietness. A lone squirrel dashes and scampers along bare branches while a couple of birds soar across trees. A neighbor walks her dog and another jogs along. Nature finds her balance and nurtures winter. 

stillness sustained

within patterns of life-

harmony nestles in

©CV, 2020

⭐

The reoccurrence of this scene helped shape my thoughts as  I waited with eager anticipation for the Times Square ball to drop on New Year's Eve. Along with millions of reflective individuals, I decided to use one simple world as an effective way to guide my 2020 journey. In the past, I chose the following words, openness, listen, believe, joy, hope, and embrace. They served me well. This year I looked through the eyes of nature to help me navigate the duality of life and merge my professional and personal sides into a workable flow. 

⭐

In 1917, poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox penned, The Year. This poem quickly became a mentor text for me that further shaped my thoughts about my one word.

What can be said in New Year rhymes,

That's not been said a thousand times?

The new years come, the old years go,

We know we dream, we dream we know.

We rise up laughing with the light,

We lie down weeping with the night.

We hug the world until it stings,

We curse it then and sigh for wings.

We live, we love, we woo, we wed, 

We wreathe our brides, we sheet our dead.

We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,

And that's the burden of a year.

⭐

What can be said of a year gone by?

Shall we reflect or wave goodbye?

I think I'll usher in another year

Filled with promise and good cheer

One that lets my imagination fly

To write my simple one word in the sky.
©CV, 2020

I introduce my #OneWord2020: 

BALANCE- 

not a hindrance, nor a burden,

an emergence of thought,

a breath of fresh ideas

interlocking  my two worlds,

professional and personal, 

into a design for an enriched lifestyle.

©CV, 2020

⭐

Why did I choose balance?
In my unretirement days, I have been struggling with finding balance in life. Sometimes my two worlds, professional and personal, intersect and other times they collide; the professional side  often overtakes the personal side. Balance is a word that promotes evenness and harmony just like nature painted a picture of such these past days. Balance has crept up in thoughts and digital inspirations for at least 5 years.

My quest to uncover a balanced life starts with small tasks, positivity, and a quote by Thomas Merton, the inspirational,s 20th Century monk, writer, theologian, social activitist, and poet. 

Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm, and harmony.

Commitment Statement

This year, I enter a new year and a new decade with balance as my one word to :
Bare my soul. 

Align my thoughts.

Linger in solitude.

Always search for peace.

Notice nature's harmony. 

Cease the busyness to find

Evocative moments to savor.
©CV, 2020

"To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven." (Eccl. 3:1)

⭐

I am ready to share my blog post with my fellow writers at Spiritual Journey Thursday. My colleague, Margaret Simon, is our host this month at the beginning of the new decade. Sharing our one word is an annual event. Happy New Year to all!

3 Words

In the dim light of the yoga studio, the gentle voice of the teacher opened the practice. The peaceful greeting set the tone. In the darkness three words fell upon my listening ears.

balance

gratitude

healing

Tonight after moderating #NYEDChat, I reflect on the three words heard in the yoga studio. With #NYEDChat's topic of "New Directions" fresh on my mind, these words take on a new meaning. 

Within the studio, balance was sought. My balance may have been a little off but the knowledge that practice strengthens purpose pushed me beyond my comfort zone. During #NYEDChat, we discussed the idea of moving beyond the zone of comfort to inspire and impact the lives of our students. With passion, educators can bring accord and balance to the classroom

During the yoga class, gratitude was in my heart as we lifted thoughts of thankfulness for another person in need. Similarly during the Twitter chat tonight, I felt a feeling of gratitude for the collegiality emanating from the group. Within the framework of communities, we stand together in thoughts and actions.

Healing was a word that needed to be heard in the studio. Despite the discord and dissonance of the outside world, the yoga studio became a quiet, peaceful haven-a refuge where healing floated on gentle wings. 

In our classrooms and school buildings, students seek a place where the balance of a cohesive community allows voices to rise. Gratitude flows in a culture of trust in which acts of collaboration and kindness lead to healing. 

Just three little words heard during an opening greeting provided a message that reverberated over several days. I was fortunate to take away those words knowing that words are powerful and must be chosen carefully to convey a positive effect on others. 

Today is Slice of Life Tuesday at Two Writing Teachers so I offer my words to the blogging community with thanks to the participants of #NYEDChat who inspired me to remember that words matter. 

New Directions

Two invitations were sent out this weekend by two different connected educator PLNs. As this Monday night's moderator of #NYEDChat, I was preparing questions to send via Twitter when Margaret Simon, leader of #DigilitSunday tweeted her prompt. 

Each January, millions of people around the world turn their attention toward finding balance in their professional and personal lives. New goals versus immediate needs are weighed. Resolutions or one words are created to steer an individual's journey knowing that continued reflection leads to a fresh start. 

Whether it is a make-over, redo, or new direction on your mind, there are always questions on how to get started. This is the point where focus comes into play. A new energy generated from the process propels us forward. 

If we FOCUS on the task at hand, 

LISTEN to our hearts 

as planned,

our thoughts can soar,

touch the sky, 

and momentarily

 FLY, FLY, FLY.

2015 C. Varsalona 

I have been debating how to mindfully move forward in a new direction without procrastinating. I am reminded of the words of Thomas Merton, "Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony." What a beautiful thought as a start today with some steps to help me mindfully move forward.

• Assess my needs for both my professional and personal life 
• Prioritize tasks but be flexible 
• Be conscious of those around me to support their needs
• Reflect at day's end

A positive attitude is needed as I seek joy (my #oneword2017) in everyday, ordinary routines and tasks. What will you do to seek balance as you find a new direction this January?

*******************

Please visit #DigiLitSunday at Margaret Simon's blog here to read how the other bloggers are addressing the topic, Balancing Goals and Needs. Then, save the date to join #NYEDChat for our hour conversation, Come Celebrate New Directions with #NYEDChat, tomorrow night at 8 pm EST. 

Finding Balance in Life

Have you stopped to think about the pace at which life is moving? It seems to be a topic of conversation lately. More and more people are multi-tasking to get the most out of their days as they try to keep the balance between home and work. Is this a healthy course of action for us to take?

Articles published on this topic warn us that our brains can't process as many tasks as we think we can. Author Guy Winch states, "When it comes to attention and productivity, our brains have a finite amount." In order not to feel overwhelmed, we need to mindfully process any information needed to accomplish our tasks.

Life is a balancing act with family and home life on one side and work life on the other. Being mindful and having a positive attitude is one way to find inner peace to deal with life's challenges and joys. What else is needed to find life balance? 

ESSENTIAL TIPS:

1. Maintain a Positive Outlook

Being in the positivity zone allows you to take a fresh look at life and diffuse the negativity that may surround you. 

2. Prioritize 
While an endless to do list may be what you think you need, prioritizing one or two tasks is a better option for each day with a long term goal for the week. 

3. Be Mindful-Stay in Moment

It is better to concentrate on one activity or thought than to multi-task. Taking breaks to breathe in the fresh air and relax the mind is helpful when the work load or family chores are more than usual.

4. Plan Quality Time with Family and Friends

Build in time for activities that develop relationships. Family dinners, outdoor   activities, and mini-excursions that involve talk and relaxation time are important.

5. Enjoy Humor

Laughter has been reported to be a powerful medicine to reduce stress. Keep the humor and lightheartedness flowing to create a balance in your mood that will fortify your emotional health.

5. Reflect

The process of noticing and wondering in life is a way to refresh your mind and allow for reflective thinking time to de-stress. Take a walk, pay attention to your surroundings, and listen to nature's sounds to bring a sense of peace and calmness to your day. 

Balancing life takes skill.

Are you ready to take on the challenge?

As you release stress, you restore your sense of balance.

Decluttering To Achieve Balance

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of clutter? 

There are periods in my life that my house gets cluttered and it just begs for a good "spring" cleaning. Piles of paper from a variety of unfinished tasks just sit waiting for a friendly hand to whisk them away into filing cabinets. Other piles just lay in wait as new projects get underway. Clutter seems to bring on more clutter and that seems to transfer over to my calendar that has its share of too many events crowded into a short space. When all of this occurs an intervention is necessary so that order and balance can be restored.

There are so many declutter experts on television these days who work their magic. I have gathered a few ideas on how to bring about order in a more efficient manner. My choice of life hacks to declutter are:

#1: Engage in Reflaction

Reflection with POSITIVE action (a term coined by two educator friends, Cory Radish and Scott Totten) is needed to start my "spring" cleaning process. Goal setting is essential.

#2: Sort and Organize

Divide and conquer the clutter. Set up three strategic areas: For Trash, For Storage, For Immediate Handling. Use the Three Second Rule to rid myself of unwanted items that are not important. Create specific areas or compartments for items that I want to keep.

#3: Step Back, Reflect on Accomplishments, Celebrate

Did I remember to relax with the process because some jobs are quick and others are meant to be conquered in small steps. Applaud the positive thinking and stamina needed to persevere.

Just as we declutter our home, garden, and office, I learned we must declutter our minds to keep balance and peace in sight. Reducing the information intake to allow for periods in the day just to relax is key. 

My Reflaction: Now that my outdoor space has been reimagined and is clutter-free, I commit to bring balance to my indoor space.

With that said, I am off to simplify my life with some life hacks thanks to Margaret Simon at DigiLit Sunday who suggested the topic of decluttering. 

Celebrate Gardening

Nature is at peace in my garden.

My meditation garden was created as a resting place to find peace and balance in my life. It was first designed on the site of a miniature house right before my daughter's prom. It has grown in its design over the years. 

This week between the professional development sessions I facilitated and life tasks, I found the time to work with my gardener/landscaper, Matt, on embellishing this site. My wish for various colored perennials that would co-exist in the garden space with the other foliage and flowering plants was realized by the end of the week. 

In between the inception of the idea and the final planting there were intermediary steps: speaking with Matt, visiting the local nursery with my husband, choosing around eleven plants that could work. Since I am only an amateur gardener, I needed to leave the real planning to Matt who knew which plants that I chose would be the ideal ones for the new design. 

***********************

Tonight, I celebrate the new layout, the beautiful perennials, and the peaceful spaces of blooming plants that were created around my house  (referred to as Carol's botanical garden). Not only do the gardens look beautiful but the chocolate mulch that covers them smells delicious.

I celebrate gardening tonight after having a wonderful spring evening dinner with friends on my patio overlooking my herb and meditation gardens. 

In my garden area, I can distance myself from the chattering of the world and become mindful about life. I can slow down, listen, and just relax. My garden is my go to place to celebrate life. What is your favorite spot to relax in peace?

Please visit Ruth Ayres at Celebrate This Week, a place where weekly celebrations are posted by the blogging community.