Finding Balance

So I have good news!  I got a new job!  It's at the same company and is somewhat of a lateral transfer but has a crap load more responsibility.  Instead of managing a team of 4 direct care staff, I'll be managing 5 supervisors (and one additional staff) who in turn manage a total of 38 direct care staff.  Big jump and I'm thrilled!  I get a new supervisor who I already feel will be such a great match.  I feel very ready and am very excited!  Arghhhhhh! 

And so why is this post called 'Finding Balance'?  Well the down side of this good news is that any sense of balance in my life that I have worked so hard to create for so many years has pretty much been thrown out of the window since I heard I got the position a couple weeks ago.  I have been working like crazy as I transition out of my current role kinda while transitioning in to the new one.  A lot of late nights and honestly when I'm not actually working, I'm thinking about it.  Balanced life?  I think not.

Yes on a side note, I will give myself props for it being the best ever week for gym attendance!  I've gone four times in one week!  My motivation?  Not only have I been inspired by my younger sister...but last weekend, our friends invited us to a pool party that is tomorrow.  As soon as I heard, I knew I had to drop 5 lbs in one week.  Looking back at my thought process, I think it's kind of funny!  But anyway I started running again and have I lost any weight?  Nada but I feel great and have renewed my love of running.  I love it!  It's been huge for me and 100% helps me get away from everything for a half hour chunk.  In fact, it's been helping to un-do a knot in my back that has been brewing for about a month.

So thankfully I had today off of work and it came just in time.  Today was my day to re-evaluate and renew a sense of balance in my life.  I knew that this short burst of intense work was temporary.  I understand the importance of taking care of one's self and I have to say that I do it fairly well.  Now I need to have a conversation with myself about doing the right thing and slowing it back down again.

So far, it has been a very relaxing day off.  Last night Rich had his usual Thursday night with the men-folk so I had the evening to myself which was exactly what I needed.  I took a very soothing dip in the pool and watched the evening sky change color as the sun went to bed.  Bliss.  I caught up on facebook which I hadn't touched in days (shock, horror) and caught up on shows.  Today, I read, (ok, and I did do a smidge of work but it really truly was a smidge), then went running at the gym and saw my best friend Michelle and her absolutely beautiful and funny two girls for lunch.  Drank some wine and chatted away the hours!  Then came home and took a nap for over 2 hours.  Ahhhhhh.  Feels good!  Now, I'm blogging.  Tonight, dinner and a movie with my most awesome husband who by the way has been awesome these past couple of weeks!

You know I will add one more thing about how life has a way of working out.  About 3 weeks ago (before I knew I got the position), Rich and I were hanging out in the bookstore when I came across this book.

As I usually do when I see a book that looks pretty, I'll leaf through and if I'm intrigued, I'll take a picture of the front of the book on my phone so that I can look it up at home.  I read through the first several pages on Amazon and was intrigued so I ordered it.  As I began to read it this morning, I thought to myself that this will be a good read as a preventative measure.  Turns out that per Dr. Clever, I didn't rate very highly on her 'life is great' scale but I'm a bit biased.  I kinda love my life!  But anyway, the point is...isn't it uncanny that I saw this particular book 3 weeks ago and that it arrived in the mail yesterday just as I was beginning my renewal process?  I am very intrigued with this lady's philosophy and I do feel that I can learn from her.  Will let you know how it goes.

And now it is 4th of July weekend!  What are you all up to?  We plan to steam clean the carpets, clean up the back garden (Rich has no idea that he is a part of this) and go to a pool party.  I would love to take a day trip up North to Flagstaff as well but we'll see.  Here's wishing you all a restful, balanced and sweet long weekend for those that are off work.

Peace,
~k