Balancing

I find myself trying to balance a lot lately. Not just in my outside life, but in my thoughts and planning for the future. I want to make the most of my life. I have so many things that I love to do. I want my work to be meaningful. I want to have time to just do things for the pure joy of it, too. It's that ever-present pull between life and work. Maybe this is a silly post. I posted the picture above, because I do really like surfing and music, but more so because it kind of captures how I feel right now: trying to balance several things at once. I am filling in a temporary (six days) position at my workplace as an addictions counsellor, and I have really jumped in with both feet, like I always seem to do with everything in life. In a few days though, my last paper will be done, and I can focus on getting through the rest of the week. And, I think I can carry it off with poise. I think I am learning to trust my skills and believe more in myself. That's a good feeling!

When I feel stressed, I always remind myself that I've felt similar in the past, and that I always got through. And the best thing that I have learned in life is to be kind to myself when I am under stress. So, for example, TJ and I took the evening off last night to get a mini-Christmas tree, and decorate it, and to make some special food and relax for a few hours. That's why I'm taking a minute to do this blog-post, too. Plus, I can smell the Christmas tree as I sit here and write. Mmmmm.

This is going to be a great Christmas, visiting friends and family back in Alberta, with no work or school involved!!