We are not superwomen.

We need to stop living according to the myth that we can be in balance every day, day after day. Even during the best of times, that is impossible.

What happens during tough times when life throws us a major curveball? That’s when we need to focus most of our attention and energy to the matter most at hand.

I am writing this one week after my Sweet Pete, my dear rescue dog who was only about nine years old, had to be euthanized. He died in my arms, head on chest, favorite sock monkey looking back at him.

I am doing OK because I was gentle with myself this week rather than powering through. Work was a welcome distraction and I gladly did all that I needed to do, but not much more. My “to do” list hardly shrunk.  

I gave myself a break.

It worked.

There is still a hole in my heart but I know from previous losses of dear ones, human and non-human alike, that holes remain but we learn to celebrate and laugh and love and find joy once again.

So be kind to yourself when you’re seriously challenged by illness, death, job loss or a relationship ending. Pause to reflect and regroup. You don’t need to get back to your whole life immediately.

Healing requires us to be out of balance for a bit.  

That’s the fastest way to get back in balance again.