Stay Swaggy

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

Last week I was at a Diabetic Education Class at the Indian Health Service on a reservation an hour away from where I live. The professional speaking was from the dialysis center. I had the memory of how my mother fell there and then while in rehab for a broken neck, she died.

My mother used to do balance exercises regularly. When I would visit I would often find her standing on one leg at the kitchen sink whistling while she did dishes. She said there are lots of balance exercises but it is nice if you can fit one in with the regular things you do every day!

Her falling was an accident and I don't blame dialysis for her fall. Her rehab wasn't to blame either. She was 75 and had probably been on dialysis for close to 10 years. She refused a transplant. She said that she was ready to die.

Balance is living our best life and accepting that we will all die. My mother called dying going home! I prefer to think of it in that way also.

Rupi Kaur's Balance Writing Prompts - How do you feel after a day of doing nothing?

Well, I'm trying to think of one. Being in the hospital maybe and even then it was, "We are going to take your blood now." "It is time to eat," "What would you like", "How are you feeling", and "It is time to take a walk."

It didn't feel like a day of doing nothing even though that is probably what it looked like I was doing from another's perspective.

When working full time, I was salaried and worked on weekends too but I had lots of things to do on weekends with family and friends when working full-time. Now that I work part-time, I read and write, do household chores, and spend time with my hubby. It is not ever nothing.

Maybe as a teenager, just sleeping and watching television or listening to music. Then there was always something getting in my way of doing nothing. Younger siblings! Or friends calling. Or plans made. Or what I was doing for Mom.

Recently, I was told stories of how this person or that person retired in front of the television and died within a few years of retirement. I guess I am glad that I don't watch much television!

Rupi Kaur's Balance Writing Prompts - My dream mentor would be _______________ because _____________.

Right now, it is Rupi Kaur and Jen Sincero. I responded to one full box of Rupi Kaur's gratitude writing prompts. I only discovered Jen Sincero when buying more of Kaur's writing prompt cards because when I bought two boxes of Kaur's prompts, I received Sincero's cards for free.

I am currently responding to a box of balance prompts and a box of self-love prompts. Rupi is giving me a chance to look at the progress I have made and give credit to those who have helped me along the way.

And then I get a look at things that I may not have known I needed to change. Or at things that I am pleased with and may encourage others to try by writing about them.

Sincero cards are from a book titled "You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life." I love the idea of that, even though I think my life can be pretty awesome much of the time.

The affirmations and "kicks in the butt" as Sincero says have been helpful. I'm sure others may be getting bored with this writing prompts thing but I am not yet, so I will continue until I am and I will probably make it through the boxes I am currently using.

Rupi Kaur's Balance Writing Prompts - If I were speaking to a therapist right now, I'd say ____________.

Today, I may say, "I'm good!" Why am I here? The last time I was at a therapist it was for EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). Because they needed a diagnostic assessment to bill my insurance I was told at the end of my second session:

"The good news is I asked for seven sessions of EMDR and you only needed one session! The bad news is your insurance will not cover more therapy as you are too well-adjusted to need continued therapy." Therapist at a local counseling center.

Today, I read others writing and I wrote most of this response to prompts. I then went to the water ceremony. Then I worked on a grant I will submit by midnight tonight. A friend picked me up to have lunch in a town an hour away at a Texas Roadhouse.

And we went to "The Jersey Boys." A fun day and dinner at home with the hubby and a short conversation before finishing my writing and grant wrapup.