Finding Balance

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

When growing up it was clear that balance was vital in the culture. It was talked about on the medicine wheel as being in the center of the medicine wheel, along with you.

Later I was told that if you work on the spiritual quadrant, body, mind, and emotions would fall into place also for a well-balanced life.

Rupi Kaur’s Balance Writing Prompts — I feel confident when ___________.

I feel confident when I am in the middle of something I know well. I have a group weekly in a mental health crisis shelter. My position there is as a culture consultant.

The program has had this position since it opened as they are located close to a Native American reservation and larger populations of Native Americans.

People don’t want the title as they think culture consultant means expert. I was socialized in the culture and worked with the Native American population in my state. In previous positions, I was the culture expert for some who had no previous experience and weren’t of the culture.

It is not necessary to be an expert however if you do not know the answer, you can help find the answer. That is part of the responsibility of the position.

My past work has been as a substance abuse counselor and later as a family and couples therapist. Because I am retired I don’t always enjoy the weekly commitment however, I feel good being there once I am there.

The job is familiar and I was comfortable in that role for about 32 years with the last 12 years involving more policy work and training counselors than it did working directly with individuals, couples, or families.

Now, it has been eight years of work with people in the role of culture consultant. Working with both kids and adults.

Rupi Kaur’s Balance Writing Prompts — I feel most productive when ________.

I feel most productive when I am rested and doing something I am familiar with and enjoy doing. Writing is now one of those things.

I started with medium.com to improve my creative writing. I had compliments on what I wrote at work however, it was primarily technical writing.

There is a place for that here as well, and I am choosing not to use that here.

Rupi Kaur’s Balance Writing Prompts — Feeling stressed is inevitable. How can you develop a healthier relationship with stress?

A few of the things I try to do when dealing with stress:

Take time each day to do something that will make for less stress in my life—once a week sort through my purse, a drawer, the laundry room the refrigerator. They are referred to as 10-minute miracles by a decluttering program I am working on.

It is good to have a feeling of less to do. And to get a pat on the back for something accomplished. One thing to check off a list.

Give yourself time out to just breathe. Don’t look at or talk to anyone. Five to ten minutes is all that is needed at one time and it will feel good!

Do something simple like calling a friend, having a cup of tea, listening to favorite music, or taking time to read on medium.com or scan Facebook.

Laugh with those you know will laugh with you. My husband will, and certain friends will if I say I need to laugh. Take time for art. If you have time go golfing or plan a golfing day. Just knowing it is on the calendar can reduce stress. Something to look forward to.

Put little fun to do things in your day for short 10-minute breaks. For example, I am learning to use paint sticks and then a watercolor brush to finish the picture.

Go for a quick walk. 10 minutes on the treadmill can get me re-energized and help to handle stress.

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First published by Mercury Press on medium.com