Finding Balance in 2013

By Kelly McElrea –

When I think about Health and Wellness I know that it is about so much more than just what you put into your mouth. While that is important, it is really secondary to many other areas of life. If you are out of balance, it is so much easier to not look after yourself and good healthy food is often the first thing we sacrifice.

While I am aware of the fact that health is so much more than food or exercise like everyone else, it is easy for me to get of track at times. That was made very evident to me this week, to be more specific, today! I have had a lot of change in my life embarking on a new career and while change is good there are some things that I seemed to give up along with my previous career.

I had a phone conversation with someone last week who I had just met and while we were speaking we got on the topic of rock climbing. Well, little did he know that he was in for a whole speech about how much fun it is to go rock climbing. About what a wonderful way it is to exercise and not only do you have a fabulous work out but you have a ton of fun.  I started telling stories of my past rock climbing days and he stopped me suddenly and asked “when was the last time you went rock climbing?” I paused and thought, how long has it been? In reality I think it has been 2 years, but not wanting to sound like I totally quit something I loved, I said “a year, a year and a half; it’s been too long anyway!” He agreed and suggested that it was something I should do again as it was clear to him that I had a passion for a sport.

I made a commitment to him on the spot, while I don’t have a current climbing partner I told him that I would go to the climbing gym and climb solo on the bouldering walls. I made a plan to go this week either Tuesday or Wednesday just to get myself back into the gym and doing what I love. To be honest I procrastinated all morning, why? I have no idea! I know climbing is something I love, but with an over packed schedule pulling me in many directions I think I was looking at it as one more thing to do, as opposed to what it is, something I am passionate about and something that I find to be a ton of fun!

All that said, I made a commitment, I now put myself in a position of being accountable to someone else, and someone who was going to hold me accountable by following up to see how my first time back climbing went. I knew I didn’t want to let him down and most of all, I didn’t want to let myself down and I really do deserve to do something fun. I was still procrastinating! So I contacted a supportive friend, someone who always helps me put things into perspective. With his wonderful words I put one foot in front of another and off I went to the climbing gym.

I can honestly say this is one of the best things I have done for my soul and body in a long time! I am not going to tell you it was like riding a bicycle and I was a climbing machine because that was not the case at all. It was hard! In fact, way harder than I remembered, but you know what? I was there, I was doing something I loved, I was talking to other climbers, and I was back in an environment that had brought me so many hours of joy. It was a challenge as I hadn’t bouldered in so long, but I didn’t give up. I kept trying, I watched others for inspiration and to learn and I would get back up and try again and again. By the end I can say I finished a route with about 97% accuracy and I was really proud! Most of all, I had the best time! When I went to leave I walked into the change room (which was empty) and I did a little happy dance because I was so elated to have been back doing what I love that I literally could not help myself.

The lesson at the end of the day for me is to never give up on what you love. No matter what is going on in your life to find those little joys that make a big difference in your life. When I went climbing today I not only had a wonderful time, but it made me forget that I was feeling overwhelmed, for that time I was doing something I loved, I was getting exercise (also good for the soul) and I was having fun and interacting with likeminded people. We will always have challenges in front of us, but if we give up what we love during those tough times doesn’t that make them that much harder? If you are in a rut, feeling a little blue or just feeling overwhelmed. Take some time to think about things you have done in the past that really really make you smile. Something that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning and go and do. Something that at the end of the day is really good for your soul.

When you feel more balanced, when you look after your soul, when you have strong relationships around you and a strong spiritual belief you will be amazed at how much easier it is to look after the most important person in your life…yourself!

Kelly McElrea is a passionate Wellness Educator and Business coach with a zeal for helping people to reach the health and wealth they aspire to achieve. She specializes in health at the cellular level and has a proven system to help people boost their energy, cut cravings and look and feel amazing! Her Websites: www.creatingwellnesstoday.net, www.creatingewellnesstoday.usana.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kellyshealthtip