This is the last post for the year. It’s a quiet day, which comes after several lively days filled with family, friends, and gatherings. This is a reflective time of year as I sit here wearing my cozy socks and sipping a warm cup of Earl Grey tea.

When I finished writing my post, I asked our daughter to give it a read before sharing it with you. Cassie exclaimed, “That’s great, Mom!” Over lunch, we continued our conversation. She said, “The list is too long. I got lost in it and couldn’t focus. And the post doesn’t have any spark.” Now that’s good feedback! Then she added, “Would it be so terrible if you started over?” We both burst out laughing. She’d gone from, “that’s great” to telling me what she really thought.

You can’t ignore the truth. In the spirit of Cassie’s honesty and the connections they conjured up about this time of year, I opted to rewrite this post. The long list is gone, the message is more focused, and hopefully you will feel a spark.

Lists - In thinking back over the year, did you include too much on your list? If you had edited more, would you have experienced better balance? Were there too many “shoulds?” Was it challenging to prioritize and focus? In looking ahead, include what is most important. Be selective so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Make the lists want/need-based rather than should-based.

Passions - Was the past year draining? Maybe you didn’t include enough of what you’re passionate about? What energizes you? Going forward presents opportunity. Add the spark! 

Beginnings - One of the fabulous things about this time of year is our ability to reflect, reset, and dream. We get a “do-over.” This is the ultimate gift. Let go of what didn’t work. Release your fear. Embrace the possibilities. Start over.

As you reflect back and future think, what do you see? As we transition from one year to the next, allow clarity and hope to flourish. Wishing you and your loved ones joyous, focused, and spectacular days ahead.

I’m grateful for the perspectives you continue to share in this community. I always love to read your ideas and appreciate your comments. Come join the conversation. What are you thinking about as this year comes to a close?

What is the relationship between balance and passion? The answer will vary for each person. While there are many things that delight my eyes, soul, and body, my philosophy is to find a balance somewhere between complete immersion and moderation.

Even though I’m passionate about purple, I wouldn’t want the entire outside of our home painted that color. I do love however, having a purple front door. While I adore spending time with family and friends, I also need solitary time. What can say about chocolate? I love, love, love it, but I wouldn’t want to eat it for every meal.

Can we have too much of a good thing? For me, it is that balance between total indulgence and moderation that helps me to more deeply appreciate the many things I’m passionate about.

The holiday season is upon us. It is often filled with excess. Feeling balanced can be compromised by over-doing, over-shopping, over-eating, or over-engaging. Remember that you have choices. Pay attention to your limits so that you can fully appreciate what makes you joyful.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. How do you balance your passions? Is balance important to you? Come join the conversation.

Sometimes in the pursuit of balance, we need to cut ourselves some slack. As I find myself in the midst of the sparkle and activity of the holiday season, including parties, upcoming personal and business events, planning for the next months, along with all the regular “normal” responsibilities, I’m feeling that frenzy, bordering on overwhelm which often accompanies this time of year.

I have written frequently about “me time” and practicing good self-care. While it’s always important to do this, it’s especially true when stress levels elevate. So, instead of writing a long post, this week, I’m going to reduce the pressure and keep this short.

I encourage you to listen to your voice, to do less if that helps, and to take care of yourself. What restores your sense of balance?

Photo by Steve SamuelsToday marks the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year. Almost everyone I’ve bumped into in the last few days has seemed particularly stressed-out about what they still have to do to prepare for the holidays, the number of parties they’ve been invited to, the amount of family members they have to “deal with,” the presents still left to buy or wrap, the fact that life just feels different and hectic and making them crazy!

It’s a bit catching, this “stress-fever.” Many of us are feeling unsettled and unbalanced. Routines have disappeared. There are lots of comings, goings and activity beyond the usual. More things seem to be added to our plates.

I don’t know about you, but I needed to do a few things to help myself feel more normal and calm. After all, I want to enjoy this special time with my family and friends. I don’t want to be overloaded with stress. So, in the midst of the activity, I decided to take a break from everyone. I needed to pause. I self prescribed some “me time.” This included:

• Being in our house by myself for several hours
• Putting on my pjs early
• Eating a quiet dinner while reading
• Making a few phone calls
• Folding the laundry
• Paying the bills
• Indulging in several of my favorite Tate’s Chocolate Chip cookies
• Drinking a cup of Yogi Relaxed Mind tea, which promised to “promote tranquility”
• Breathing deeply
• Feeling grateful for the quiet and time by myself
• Writing my blog post
• Grooving to the music on my Oh, So Organized! "Organize for Winter" video
• Eating a few more cookies

There is nothing extraordinary about this list. I didn’t travel to a far away land. I didn’t go to a show or movie. I kept it simple. I made myself comfortable, enjoyed the familiarity of completing some routine tasks, and appreciated doing all these things in the context of total quiet and focus. There were no interruptions. And you know what? It felt good. Actually, it felt better than good. It felt great! Now that I'm feeling rejuvenated, I'm ready for what comes next.

As you navigate over the coming days, I hope you are able to find some time to breathe, pause, and take care of yourself. What will be on your list?