Sheila's Books Read

Sheila's bookshelf: read

The Best Intentions
Scotland's Melody
The Secret Society of Salzburg
Secret of the Sonnets
20-40-60-Minute Dinners: Meals to Match the Time You Have
Through the Wilderness: My Journey of Redemption and Healing in the American Wild
Secret Santa Claus Club: A Tool to Help Parents Unwrap the Secret of Santa
Mr. Pudgins
Revenge Never Rests
The Best Mistake
Meriden Park
More Inspirational Stories for Young Women
The Great Tree: A Christmas Fable
To Capture His Heart
The Call of the Sea
Esperance
Livvy and the Enchanted Woodland
Come, Gentle Night
The Bad Boy Theory
Guide To Smart Wedding Planning: What You want to know and everything you haven't thought of yet.


Sheila's favorite books »

2024 Goodreads Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge
Sheila has read 4 books toward her goal of 100 books.
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Friday, April 1, 2011

A-Z Blogging Challenge "B" is for Balance


Today is the second day of the A-Z Blogging challenge. Today's letter is "B". The word that I am blogging about today is Balance and trying to achieve mental and emotional steadiness.

We work hard each day to keep our life in balance. We have to fit in the things we have to do and the things we want to do. Some days I feel somewhat crazy with everything I must do. Emotionally, this takes a toll on me and I can't give anyone my best. This is where we have to go over our priorities. What is really important in our lives? Is there something that we could live without and still be happy? Do we really need to work those extra hours and sacrifice the time that we could spend with our loved ones?

My Dad passed away three weeks ago. Enduring a great loss like this has made me re-think many things in my life. The things that used to be important, are now not high on my priority list anymore. Spending more time with my kids and doing fun things together has jumped to the top of my list. Time comes and goes quickly. Before we know it our kids are grown and we have gotten old. I am grateful that I was very close to my dad and took the time to get to know him and always show my love for him.

I challenge all who are reading this,take a good look at your life. Try to figure out how to have a more balanced life. This will bring more happiness to you and those you love.

24 comments:

  1. Loved your first two blogs for the challenge, an excellent start, I will be back to read more.

    Thanks also for your kind comment you left me, much appreciated.

    Yvonne.

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  2. So sorry to hear about your father. But I'm glad it's brought you to a place where you can re-evaluate your life and perhaps look ahead with a more positive attitude. That's fantastic. I'm following you now. Looking forward to your posts! :o)

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  3. B is indeed about Balance in life, we need it, we crave it, we strive for it!

    Losing a loved one is always sad, sorry for your loss. And it does put the rest of our own lives into perspective.

    Nice to meet you via the A to Z challenge!

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad's passing :( Many blessings to you and your family!

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  5. Great post and great reminder. As a mother of 3, I also struggle with balance every day. Remember to keep yourself in the equation as well as the kids. Remember what they say, "If Mamma ain't happy, ain't NObody happy."
    Best of luck with A to Z!

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  6. Sorry to hear of your father's passing. Warm thoughts and blessings coming your way right now.

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  7. You are so right. When our daughter was little, she came into the office, where I was writing, and brought me a picture of a red face with a wiggly tongue. She said it was a picture of me saying, "NO, I can't play with you now! I'm working!" I put it on my office wall and work could always wait. Now she's grown and gone, and I can work all day, and she's my best friend.

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  8. Balance is certainly important. Personally, I feel I spend too little time working on my novel and too much time at work (though my employers wouldn't agree with the latter half of that statement).

    My condolences, Sheila.

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  9. I'm so sorry to hear about your father. I know that when close family members die, I take a lot of time to reflect on priorities.

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  10. Balance is a hard thing to achieve in life. I'm so sorry to hear about your father. My mother is very ill and has been dying in a Nursing Home for the last month. Each day that I visit her I think about the finality of it all and start to wonder why we're here. I know that what you say makes sense. I should try and do the things that I want to do in life but first I have to make sure that others around me are ok. Like you say, it's all a matter of balance.

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  11. Oi! Balance is such a hard thing, I think especially for writers whose passion would suck all our time if we had that leeway. I'm very sorry to hear about your dad. You are right, though, about how much perspective that adds to everything else.

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  12. I'm so sorry to hear about your father - I'm sending you virtual hugs.

    It took two close family deaths and my own health scare to make me finally realise I needed to stop putting things off until later. It isn't always easy finding the right balance but I try my best.

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  13. You've turned your loss into a beautiful message. Thanks for the reminder life and its importance.

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  14. You're absolutely right, we do need to slow down and look at what we prize the most. Sorry about your Dad.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium.

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  15. So sorry to hear about your father! Balance is a hard lesson to learn, harder to achieve.

    you're off to a great start. I can't wait to C more

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  16. I'm so sorry to hear about your father. What a wonderful post and reminder to take the time to do the things that are important to us.

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  17. Sorry for your loss. You are right kids are gone before you blink an eye. balance is needed.

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  18. This is a P - a Powerful Post. Thanks Sheila. It is good to reflect on balance in our lives, especially during this challenge which is quite time demanding, yet enjoyable.

    Thanks for travelling to Bangladesh with me. I hope you will find your way back. My C goes up in a few hours.

    I followed you.

    Denise<3

    L'Aussies Travel Blog A - Z Challenge posts

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  19. Forgot to say, I collaborate on a book review only blog if you're interested in taking a peek.

    http://readingatdawn.blogspot.com

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  20. Balance is what everyone needs and sometimes is a challenge to find. Great post! =)

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  21. I am saddened by your loss. Balance is so difficult to achieve yet once we do...and we have those wonderful insights into what truly matters in our lives..the joy comes unbidden.

    My child is now 30 years old, and we share a marvelous relationship. I am about to share an apartment with her and we are both excited at the idea of living together again after so long. I enjoy all my moments shared with her, they are to be treasured, the older I grow the more I appreciate the simple things, shared laughter is high on my list.
    Thanks for sharing with us. I look forward to more of your posts.

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  22. I'm so sorry for your loss. You're in my thoughts.

    Thanks for the follow, and I look forward to reading more from you, too!

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  23. Balance is one of the major things we need to achieve. It's the underlying message of the Word of Wisdom.

    I, too, am sorry about your father. My younger brother also passed away about three weeks ago. Separation is always difficult, but they're very near and it won't be long before we'll see them again.

    I'm so happy you found me. I love meeting other LDS bloggers and Utahns.

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