Seeking Balance

During a recent yoga class my rosy-cheeked instructor impressed upon us to focus on our core muscles—because our core helps with our balance.  Considering I’ve never had a six-pack, (and that’s not just from my four pregnancies), I thought about this sentiment...and not just about my need to do more planks so I could improve my wobbly balance poses. I thought about how that statement applied to my life.  How focusing on my critical core would bring me fulfillment and balance, something I have been seeking during this stage when many of life’s uncertainties are known…I’m settled in a perfect place geographically, I’m married, I have my children.  But so many questions swirl in my head.  How should I focus my time to bring most happiness now?  Most peace?  Most excitement?  My kids keep reminding me that I’ll soon be over the hill.  And truth be told, yes, there is a finite number of productive years remaining…so I want to make sure my walk over that hill is just as incredible as the start of my life’s journey.

While my sweet yoga instructor spoke a light bulb, or more aptly, a candle, went off in my head.  That I would begin that search by writing observations during this year’s quest as I find what it means to be a woman who is forty, figuring that some of my perspectives may connect with others with similar thoughts.

What am I missing?  What brings true joy?  What should I be doing?  How do I fit into this puzzle of aging parents and maturing children?  Are there life experiences I’ve been pushing off “until I have more time?”  How do I avoid regrets?  Let’s be real-- the rigors of daily living rarely bless me with open chunks of leisure.  That unless I focus -- carve out the time, prioritize--life’s minutes and minutiae will gobble up my remaining life and leave me unsatisfied or unfulfilled.

So join me as I strengthen my core so that I may find balance in life.  And not just in the cozy yoga studio.

I am Finding Forty,
Lisa