July 4, 2006

The Balance Beam eXperience

It’ll Do

The sign on the building said, “It’ll Do”. And it did do, for a bit, until the smoke got so heavy we had to leave. No wine, just beer and mixed drinks, but I made do. With my bottle of beer, andJohn’s mixed drink we headed upstairs to the outside patio (a makeshift one at that) and enjoyed our drinks and the music blaring from the speakers. Then, the second hand smoke began to filter upstairs and it was time to leave. It just didn’t do anymore.

I chuckled when I first saw the sign “It’ll Do”. The experience inside got me thinking of what in our life we make do just because. Think about it. What in your life are you doing and telling yourself “It’ll Do”? What are you losing by playing small and why are you doing it? Recognize any of these reasons:

You are too lazy to keep on searching for something better.
You are too comfortable being comfortable.
You are afraid to venture out.
You are a creature of habit and dislike change.
You don’t want to rock the boat.
You don’t believe you can have it any other way.

The sign “It’ll Do” appeared outside a tavern inArcola,IL. It could easily appear on the door to your life. Make the decision today to not settle for less. Rethink the “It’ll Do”s in your life.

However, there are times when “It’ll Do” is good enough. Perfectionism robs many people of living a fulfilling life. Nothing is ever good enough. When you think that way you put your life on hold and miss out on so many experiences. Often times you will find that it is good enough and you must say to yourself “It’ll Do” and move on. It’s the same with choices. Pick the best one at the time and go with it. Keep moving; oftentimes you will be able to change direction and make a new choice if need be.

It’ll do. It’s all about the balance of knowing when to say it.

Showcase

“There is no passion to be found in playing small – in settling for a life that is less than what you are capable of living.”

Nelson Mandela

“Living with integrity means: *Not settling for less than what you know you deserve in your relationships. *Asking for what you want and need from others. *Speaking your truth, even though it might create conflict or tension. *Behaving in ways that are in harmony with your personal values. * Making choices based on what you believe, and not what others believe.”

Barbara DeAngelis

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the
things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So
throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
-- Mark Twain

“One thing is sure. We have to do something. We have to do the best we know how at the moment... if it doesn't turn out right, we can modify it as we go along.”

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Personal Reflections

The plans for our new kitchen are just about finalized thanks to our trip to northernIllinoisthe other day. We visited with the Amish, known for making quality wood furniture. For my readers unfamiliar with the Amish, they are a North American Christian group of Mennonite origin who believe in a very conservative, simple way of life. They farm with turn of the century implements and get around with horse and buggy. I found everyone we met friendly and willing to go the extra mile for us. And, they make the best apple butter around.

I’m sure the bid we’ll get from the Amish will do and we can move forward with our new kitchen. The woman we spoke with was the most knowledgeable by far of anyone we’ve met and a tour of their facilities revealed the excellent quality they are known for. As far as the quality of the “It’ll Do” tavern, well that’s another story, but it did do for a bit. In this small town our choices were limited.

Great news! My sonJohngot his dream JOB and it will do just fine. He is working for a private investigative firm, so watch your back. Valerie is returning home fromSpainon Saturday, and we’re eager to hear her stories and see the pictures.

Have a fantastic week and ask yourself if it will do.

Stephanie www.7steps2abalancedlife.com

drszh@7steps2abalancedlife.com

P.S. Some of my readers are receiving The Balance Beam for the first time since the service crashed in May. Welcome back! I finally received the updated data base and did my best to sort it all out. I had been missing several names since my last back-up. It’s not like it was, but it will do. You can see any previous newsletters on my website in the archives.

P.P.S. A new look to the Balance Beam eNewsletter will be coming shortly. It is time to change service providers.

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