| You have permission to publish this article in your | | | | - You tell your family and friends that you are going |
| ezine or onyour website, free of charge, as long as | | | | to takecare of yourself first -starting now. |
| the resource box isincluded. Please send a courtesy | | | | These are big, life-altering examples. You also take a |
| copy of your publication . | | | | stand foryourself when you say, for example, "I'm |
| Word Count: 477 words, 65 characters per line | | | | not cooking dinner on |
| Thanks, | | | | Friday nights" or "From now on, I'm leaving work by |
| Claudette Rowley | | | | 5:30pm" or |
| ============ | | | | "I'm for the first time committed to losing these 20 |
| Take a Stand for Yourself | | | | pounds". |
| Maintaining balance in your life is a common concern | | | | Sometimes the stand you've taken may not be |
| these days,usually posed as an issue of work/life | | | | popular amongst thosenearest and dearest to you. |
| balance. People who seekwork/life balance often | | | | And sometimes, you'll feel everyoneis cheering you |
| want to work less and have more time andenergy | | | | on! Sometimes it's a little of both. In anycase, you |
| for family or for other interests. However, this | | | | have stretched into unknown territory. |
| month, | | | | Tips for taking a stand: |
| I'd like to look at balance through a different lens. | | | | - Gain clarity: What do you want? What action, if |
| At its core, I believe that maintaining "balance" means | | | | any, do youneed to take? |
| examininghow fully we value and honor ourselves. | | | | - Carve out some time and space to reflect and |
| And to fully value andhonor ourselves, sometimes we | | | | listen toyourself. What does your intuition tell you? |
| need to take a stand. We alreadytake stands for | | | | - Recognize that your energy for taking a stand ebbs |
| causes we believe in, we advocate for ourchildren, | | | | and flows. |
| and champion our friends as they go after their | | | | - Engage your support system. Talk about your goals |
| dreams. | | | | with peoplewho know you and truly listen. |
| Yet sometimes we forget that the most important | | | | - Know that you always have a choice. What may |
| person to take astand for is the one we greet daily | | | | feel like balanceone day may not feel like it the next. |
| in the bathroom mirror. | | | | When you take a stand for yourself, you contribute |
| Taking a stand means different things to different | | | | to the worldin a bigger way than you could ever |
| people. Hereare some examples: | | | | imagine. The ripple in thepond analogy fits: When you |
| - In the midst of a successful career and a growing | | | | value yourself and what you need, youinspire others |
| family, yourpolitical consciousness is activated and | | | | to do the same thing. What would the world belike if |
| you join in a protestabout an issue close to your | | | | each of us took a stand? |
| heart. | | | | Claudette Rowley, coach and author, helps |
| - You buck the family expectation that you'll use | | | | professionalsidentify and pursue their true purpose |
| your law degreein a big downtown law firm. Instead, | | | | and calling in life. |
| you use your legal skillsto protect the environment. | | | | Contact her today for a complimentary consultation |
| - You're from a family of artists and writers, but you | | | | at 781-676-5633or . |
| go tobusiness school instead. | | | | |