About Carly Cooper
A certified Life Coach for Moms and creator of www.balance-the-mother-load.com, Carly Cooper’s blog offers helpful strategies for mothers struggling with guilt, unrealistic expectations and the inability to balance it all – with a generous dose of laughter.
Find Your Courage
balance the mother load canada
(Jan.13.10)
It was another freezing weekend here in the Great White North. But the minus 15 degree temperature didn't stop my husband and I from taking our son to a place called Reptilia. We got up close and personal with lizards, crocodiles, poisonous dart frogs and a few king cobras.
Usually I'm totally creeped out by anything with more than two legs. I was doing fine until I used their bathroom and saw a live cricket on the floor. I felt the same as if I were told my regular OBGYN was being replaced by Edward Scissorhands: scared and extremely uneasy. It was much easier for me to be brave when I had a thick sheet of glass separating me and the deadly reptiles.
Unfortunately in life, we don't have a thick sheet of glass separating us from the things we fear. And because of that, we're often held back from doing the things that fulfill us most. We all have a gift and a purpose for being on this earth. And it goes beyond carpooling and laundry. But in order to figure out your purpose, you have to take risks, sometimes go against the grain, look fear in the eye and then have the guts to do it anyway.
Here are eight tips on how to find your courage.
1. Vow to add something in your life that makes your heart beat faster. What excites you? What are you really good at? If you didn't have kids and "responsibilities", how would you spend your time? Make a list of all the things you love to do. Choose one to focus on right now.
2. Create your own time table. Be realistic and find a balance that works for you. How can you do all that you need to do and still have time to nurture your dreams? It may mean saying no to things you don't want to do, or getting up an hour earlier. (Personally I like saying no better).
3. Start small by taking baby steps. If you only have five minutes a day to devote to your goal at the beginning, that's good enough. Give yourself more time on the days when you can. But do something for yourself every day.
4. Expect bumps in the road. At first, when you carve out time just for you, your family may revolt. Or the changes in your life may feel awkward. Keep going. This just means that change is happening and that's a good thing. Embrace the strange feeling and push through it. The magic is on the other side.
5. Ignore your inner critic. When you set out to do something new, the voices in your head will tell you a thousand reasons why you're the wrong person for the job. Don't listen and do it anyway.
6. Be kind to yourself. Acknowledge that you're taking a big step. Treat yourself to things that you enjoy along the way to keep you motivated.
7. Stay strong. Understand that others may feel threatened or even jealous by your desire for change. Don't let that stop you. You're not responsible for other people's happiness and you shouldn't feel like you need to hold yourself back in fear that they won't understand. Let go of what other people think. If they can't handle your radiance, tell them to buy a pair of sunglasses.
8. Create a supportive environment. Get rid of the toxic people who poison your mind and spirit with negative energy. The crowd you hang around should be like a good bra: there to lift you up, support you and make you seem bigger than you actually are.
To truly live your best life, you have to find your purpose and share it with the world around you. Put all your fears behind a thick sheet of glass and step into your greatness. The world is waiting.
I've been nominated!
I've been nominated as a Mommy Blogger on babble.com. If you like my blogs, I'd love your support. Just go to www.babble.com, scroll down and look for Balance the Mother Load. (At the time of this publishing I was around 259 on the list. But as the votes come in, I move up on the list so keep your eyes peeled). Click on "I like this blogger" on the right.
Thanks in advance for your support.