Aspire Magazine: Inspiration for a Woman's Soul.(TM) April/May 2017 Aspire Mag Full Issue | Page 68

command of a ship that was constantly on deployment. I truly took my role as “the commanding officer’s spouse” very seriously since I knew the time away would be made easier if the crew knew someone at home was supportive of their families. Unfortunately, in my zeal to serve and make a difference for the crew’s families, I forgot to take care of me. There were no boundaries on my time and self-care. For 3 years I allowed the phone to ring from early morning to late at night. I was in a constant state of giving and doing. The result was that after my husband’s tour we moved to Newport, RI and the following six months saw me doing nothing as I recuperated and took care of me. Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat. The experience gave me the opportunity to teach leaders the valuable lesson of creating and honoring boundaries. So please, tighten it up and learn when to say “no” and when to say “yes.” Tune in to your body and ask yourself how you feel. If there is discomfort, pay attention to it, and if it doesn’t feel good, don’t do it. STEP 2: Let go and delegate. What do you have to do yourself and what can be delegated to others? This is important. We tend to take on others’ drama because it’s “easier” than giving them explanations and showing them what to do. Or, they don’t do a task as well as you. GET OVER IT! Delegate, let go and allow others to practice and learn. Stop depriving the other person of learning and responsibility. 68 www.AspireMAG.net | April / May 2017 Remember: with great health and relationships you can make more money! STEP 3: Allow energy to flow easily between the pillars. When we allow flexibility and flow, instead of constant resistance due to our need for control or fear of change, we move easily between the pillars. According to Newton’s First Law of Motion, a body at rest will remain at rest (the unmoving balanced scale) unless an outside force acts on it, and a body in motion at a constant velocity will remain in motion (the scale shifting between the pillars of life) unless acted upon by an outside force. This constant motion is called life. STEP 4: Give yourself a break and focus on what is really important. Some situations will need more time and attention than others. That’s what work/ life harmony is about! Stay present in the moment and breathe deeply. Focus on what is in front of you. Shift out the “I have to do this, I have to do that” syndrome, and focus on what matters most: the people in your life. The tasks will always be there. When you do this, something amazing happens: things get done. At the beginning or the end of the day take a 30,000-foot view of your day and life, and adjust. There is no right or wrong. It’s about doing what feels right.