Sunday, September 30, 2012

It's All About Balance

October 1, 2012

Hello Everyone:

I grew up reading my horoscope and somehow felt what was written was somehow connected to what was really happening in this universe. 

As I got older and wiser in my life -- more things just made sense. Most of my co-workers and friends use to tell me that I should have been a lawyer -- I guess because I knew how to challenge my superiors and still remained on the job.

Others told me I should have been a writer because most of the ways that I challenged my superiors were in writing. As most of you know I am a writer and at this point in my life -- I don't have any desire to become an attorney.

My birth sign is a Libra and my birthday is on October 6. People born between September 23 -October 22 are called 'Libra' Individuals. 

The Zodiac Sign of Libra is the only zodiac sign represented by a non-animated object, a scale. Most other Zodiac signs are represented by either humans or animals.

There is probably a good reason why a picture of a law scale looks exactly like a 'Libra' scale. It makes me believe that there is a connection to what my life has been about and who I really am.

Libras are born during a time when summer is ending and it is time for harvest. This time of the year is considered quite calm and brings balance between the season. This balance plays an important role in the character development of the Libra individual.

Balance is something that is often mentioned in personal development and well-being circles. It is said you should eat a balanced diet, live a balanced life and seek a good work/family balance. But what truly is balance?

Balance to me has always been about setting and accomplishing personal and business goals. We all start out the New Year setting goals but for many those goals are never completed. These days everyone is overwhelmed with their lives but there is more to life than just the daily grind. It is all about balance! 

Today's hectic lifestyles can be a challenge and can leave a person feeling depleted and stressed out -- and the last thing you need is a guilt trip! Most have responsibilities to their families, their workplace or schools, their kid's sports, social activities or their communities.

I did one of the hardest things of my life over the past few weeks. I completed two -- not one -- but two books on "workplace discrimination" -- "Discrimination 101: The Complete Guide to Recognizing and Surving Discrimination in the Workplace" (Volume I and Volume II).

I had seriously worked on the books over the last month but had been pecking away at the books for over 10 years. For some reason the books were extremely hard to write but after finishing the writing projects, it was such a big relief off my shoulders - a job well done - a dream that was one of my goals for 2012.

I wanted to finish the books not just for myself but for others who are currently suffering in the workplace from workplace abuse especially women which I address in detail in Volume II of the books.

It was more of a challenge to write these books compared to the books containing my own story "The Cathy Harris Story: A Whistleblower's Victorious Journey to Justice" (www.TheCathyHarrisStory.com) and "The Failure of Homeland In-Security: The Government's Dirty Little Secrets from an Insider."   

Not only where the books painful to write because I had personally went through 10 years of workplace abuse myself -- but reading the collection of stories from others really took something out of me. 

 Personally, I don't like to see anyone in pain but those books not only contained a lot of pain but they brought back memories of a painful time in my life - a time I prefer to forget!

Everyone needs to learn a different way of handling their time and task management that can gently guide them to follow through on their priorities so their efforts are spent where it counts. 

They need a unique way to keep from getting side-tracked when things get hectic -- so they can stay focused on what is really important.

Writing and finishing the discrimination books were extremely important to me and now because I have completed the books, once again I have a feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction in my life.

To truly stay focused on what is important to you in your life and if you truly want to stay balanced - watch what you eat! If your energy level tends to swing up and down, taking your mood with it, evaluate your diet.

Are you going for long stretches without eating, then making up for lost time by consuming big meals? Common sense should prevail here.

If you want to maintain high energy throughout the day, limit the sugar, cut back on the caffeine, eat smaller meals more frequently, and load up on natural stuff that comes from the ground while getting plenty of rest and exercise.

The solution is to create a positive outlet in the form of physical exercise. There's much you can do regardless of your current fitness level. 

Take regular walks or join a hiking group, ride your bike, join a yoga or aerobics class, lift weights, join the ranks of joggers, get a pass to the local indoor pool. 

If you're a couch potato, buy a stationary bike and get active in your living room. After all it is all about balance -- so try not to make any excuses! Good luck!