Writing a new blog post for today was one of the items on my “to-do” list. I knew I’d write in the evening because the day was scheduled to work with one of my organizing clients. I hadn’t decided exactly what I wanted to write and was “on the lookout” for some inspiration. This often comes from an image, a fleeting thought, a feeling, an experience, a conversation, or a sound. To my delight, my client’s office mate shared a photo of a sign taken at the Milwaukee airport just beyond the security check area. Her photo inspired today’s post, and I searched for another version to share with you.

Recombobulation Area

The Recombobulation Area is where airport passengers go to collect themselves after going through security. They gather their shoes, belts, electronics, and baggage before heading off to their flights and the next part of their journey. One dictionary defines recombobulation as being “put back the way it was, or into proper working order.” Another definition says, “gathering one’s thoughts or composure.”

As you have probably guessed, the opposite of recombobulation is discombobulation, a word I’m far more familiar with. Discombobulated is defined as “feeling disconnected,” “unbalanced,” “out of order,” or “confused.”

As one year ended and the new one began, I realized how beautifully these two words described aspects of this transition. I felt discombobulated and out of sorts as 2011 came to a close. I had to say goodbye to one of my amazing clients that just passed away. I was struggling to balance work and family, wrapping up the year and planning for the new one. Now that we’re about a week into this year, I’m feeling much calmer. I’ve entered my own personal Recombobulation zone. It’s not that all things are back to normal, but I am feeling more composed. I was aware of the changes occurring and decisions that needed to be made as I moved from the end of one year to the beginning of another. Transitions are not always comfortable. What are they like for you?

Maybe you’re still feeling discombobulated. If so, I encourage you to discover the signs which will lead to your recombobulation area. It’s time for a fresh start. What is possible for you?

@2012 Photo by Linda SamuelsWhile New Year's Eve has come and gone, the wonderful energy from that night remains. I loved celebrating the end of one year and the beginning of another with our family and friends. The evening included eating, dancing, laughing, singing, reflecting and playing games. While the celebration has ended, the New Year essentials remain- fresh starts, bit of sparkle, and hope for what is possible.

1. Fresh Start - The New Year brings the gift of a clean slate. Imagine a blank canvas beautifully white like a fresh blanket of snow. You get a do-over, a chance to paint a new picture. The possibilities are bountiful as you consider the people, places and growth opportunities that will cover your canvas. Breathe deeply and joyfully embrace this new beginning.

2. Sparkle - Consider the "sparkle" factor. While I actually love glittery, reflective objects, what I'm really thinking about here is the sparkle within. What makes you glow? What gives you energy? How can you incorporate more inner sparkle this year? You deserve to shine.

3. Hope - We all need hope. Perhaps this past year wasn't as successful or happy or as organized as we wanted. We have the possibility to leave the negative behind and look toward the future. What are you hoping for? What do you want your days to look and feel like? What's possible for you in the coming months? Allow hope to reign.

As I say my goodbyes and reflect about the past year, I am grateful for what was. I am hopeful about what comes next. I wish each of you a spectacular year of joy, hope, love, and success. What are you imagining?

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? 

Photo by Linda SamuelsYears ago I heard Dan Thurmon speak at a NAPO conference. He is a dynamic, entertaining speaker and author that juggles, flips, and rides unicycles while delivering his keynote. His book, Off Balance on Purpose, challenges the unrealistic goal that life should be balanced.

Much of my writing focuses on finding a balance that’s right for you. The idea of feeling balanced 100% of the time is unattainable. It’s not even desirable.  The search for balance is a constant negotiation between a state of unrest or chaos and that feeling of calm or flow. It’s essential to experience both calm and chaos. They each serve a purpose.

Without some tumult, we become complacent and too content. We stop searching for solutions or growth possibilities. I’m certainly an advocate for knowing how to just be, but that’s within the context of long-term growth.

With abundant chaos, we become so stressed and ineffectual that we can easily ignore our basic needs for self-care. If life becomes a constant state of activity with no time to restore, think, or just be, we lose our focus and energy.

So how does one find that right balance? The balance I’m referring to is really your particular mix of tumult and calm that fits your life, goals and needs at any given point in time. Thinking back to raising our family, life was far more hectic than it is now. The stretches of feeling like things were “out of whack,” were much longer than the calmer parts. Now being an empty nester, while life is still full, the periods of calm are longer. The mix has changed.

Balance between these extremes is not a done deal. It’s really a matter of what we choose to focus on at any given point. In this photo of the forest, the foreground is sharp and clearly delineated, while the background is foggy and hard to see. This mirrors our lives. The shift between chaos and calm comes from what we give our attention to. As our needs change, so does our focus. Pay attention to the clues, which will help you identity when it might be time for re-balancing.

When do you know it’s time to shift your balance? What are your clues?