Gymnastics, doctor visits, careers, family gatherings, grocery shopping, piano lessons, household chores, birthday parties.  We sure are a busy society!  Always on the move and always on the go.  We have conveniently moved away from living life as “human beings” now to “human doings.”  So what happened to our natural instincts to simply “be” and maintain balance?

Through the years we have developed habits and patterns, either consciously or unconsciously…and like it or not, suddenly we’ve got ourselves a “way of life.”  Unfortunately, what happens, though, is that we don’t stop to question if this life we’ve created is what we want.  And then what about when we add our precious children to the mix?  They learn to see us as being busy, as running from crisis to crisis…and soon they, too, develop the perception we once blindly took on: “I guess this is the way life’s supposed to be.”

Not so!  Each of us, individually, is responsible for the chaos—or lack of chaos—that we create in our lives.  It is up to us as parents of these little ones to: Set the tone at home for peace rather than stress; start our day with focus rather than franticness; be fully present with each other rather than to be scattered.  After all, the habits and lifestyle of our future generation depends on it!

Here are some quick tips to help you and your family learn to love (and eventually crave) balance at home:  

1. BEGIN YOUR DAY IN SILENCE to calm yourself, get centered, and gather the reserves needed for the multiple roles you play (deep breathing and affirmations here can be helpful, such as “I am fully ready to tackle the day” or “Today I am the best parent I can be”).  Only a few moments of silence are necessary. 
2. FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANT THINGS and let the unimportant things go.  When we can master this one…we will truly be in balance and harmony.  Know that there will always be a myriad of things to do; learn to say “no” so that you can say an even bigger “Yes!” to what’s more important. 
3. BE CONSCIOUS OF EVERYTHING YOU DO: No “auto-pilot” maneuvers allowed here…fully be where you are; focus your attention on what you’re doing, who you’re with, and how you’re feeling.  Connect with your breath to make sure you’re not engaging in shallow breathing.  Find something (a photograph, quote, etc.) to help you connect to the ‘bigger picture,’ and keep it with you.
4. BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF.  Remember, we got swept up in this “busyness” a long time ago, and that path has gotten etched deeply in our souls.  It will take time and practice to be more conscious and move toward a life of balance.  How would you treat your child as they are learning something new?  Now, grant that same love and compassion to yourself.
5. REFLECT AT THE END OF THE DAY.  What worked and what didn’t work?  Maybe you were still trying to take on too much.  Maybe you could have been more present when reading to your child.  Do your best not to “judge” what happened during the day…simply take it all in as “information” to help make positive change for tomorrow and create a life of balance for you and your family. 

Stand up now and balance yourself on one leg.  Notice the wavering in your body.  Notice how you have to keep shifting your positioning so that you don’t fall over.  This is what balance in our lives is like: Maintaining awareness and continually adjusting things so that we can stay afloat.  The health and happiness of your family depends on it.  So begin now by slowly adding balance to your life at home, bit-by-bit and piece-by-piece…so that your children learn to love—and ultimately crave—ahhhh…balance.

Michelle Stimpson is a Professional Coach who empowers her clients to slow down, get clear on priorities, and create a life of purpose. She leads an “Ultimate Living” program for women who, in the busyness of today’s world, want a simple solution to get out of overwhelm and stay out…forever!  Michelle can be reached through her website at www.lifeshinecoaching.com.