Everything We Need Comes From The Universe

The universe takes and gives everything you didn’t know you needed. These prompts are an invitation to step inside yourself and explore what balance means to you. Rupi Kaur

Balancing work and play has always been something I have enjoyed. Working hard and playing hard.

My mother told the story about why maple syrup is the way it is today. She said, "Long ago, Nanaboozhoo (Anishinabe trickster) was walking through the woods and he came upon two Anishinabe inini (male people).

They had tapped two maple trees and were laying under them as the thick sap dripped in their mouths. One was rubbing his large belly.

Nanaboozhoo, walked by them, tapped the trees with his cane and said, "Fat and Lazy, fat and lazy" and walked on by. As they lay there the sap sprayed down on them.

It now takes 40-50 gallons of sap water to make 1 gallon of maple syrup. And lots of work.

My mother told my son don't you be lazy Pat Seitz. My son got the message from that story and he hasn't gotten fat and lazy. He is a hard worker.

She told him as he watched cartoons on Saturday, don't you be lazy. He couldn't figure that out and then it dawned on him that it was important to not only work hard but to play hard. He then started to play hard too, and continues to play hockey, ski, golf, and go into the BWCA yearly at age 46.

Rupi Kaur's Balance Writing Prompts - Advice I would give my younger self about prioritizing my time is ____________.

Enjoy life! Laugh, cry and walk through the trauma, grief and loss you will experience in this life. Feel the feelings, don't try to push them down. No self-medicating. Like the eagle, walk through the center of the storm to not get beat up. Work hard and play hard.

Remember balance is important and the 7 grandfathers are worth working for. Never deny your ancestry or be ashamed of who you are or of any loved ones.

Art in many forms are healing. Do art! Writing is an art.

Rupi Kaur's Balance Writing Prompts - Write about five small ways you can change your routine to create a more peaceful lifestyle.

1) Give me reiki before getting out of bed, it's okay to go to the bathroom first but then get back in bed for even 10 minutes.

2) Set a timer for all the important things that are worth doing that I don't currently have as a habit. I.E. taking one pill in the evening, 12 hours after the first dose as prescribed. Set my calendar for laughter yoga with an alarm each week, so I don't miss the 15-minute session. Make sure I update my calendar as I schedule a meeting.

3) Buy fresh organic vegetables to cook each week and cook them. When I don't do this, I don't eat vegetables. Put them on my grocery list.

4) Have dinner plans once weekly for either family members or friends. That way it doesn't throw me all out of wack when I have to fit it in last minute.

5) When I am driving, take Giizheymanido/God (Kind and loving spirit) with me. Pray, and meditate while driving. I can multitask and this will work! I can at least try it.

Rupi Kaur's Balance Writing Prompts - A positive habit I've developed over time is ______________.

I read every day and have for many years and I now write every day. I don't always publish every day, but I do write. Much of the time when I don't publish, I am away from home. I bought a laptop to take with me this year.