Dreamscape Jewelry Design

September 13, 2020: Finding Balance

“Joy lifts us up into the heavens, while grief pulls us down into the earth, and in this way they both help us maintain our emotional balance.”

― Jessica Moore

We were devastated this week to receive a dire medical diagnosis about a beloved family member.  Within the same twelve hours we were thrilled to learn about the joyful birth of a close friend’s healthy grandson. Two separate events prompting responses on the opposite scales of an emotional spectrum.  Reflections on this disparity  led to thoughts on the critical importance of  finding balance in a world that lately, too often seems out of control. 

We often can’t change life’s events, whether it’s a medical diagnosis or in the world with out of control wildfires in the US, a pandemic, or ongoing negativity in the news.  But we do have choices on how to find more balance in our personal lives and to recognize how important it is to find ways to maintain it.

In this determination to live a more balanced life, we first need to define what the definition of balanced means for each one of us.  For some it’s the juggling act of mastering the demands of work with the benefits of down time and play with family and friends.  For others, it’s creating a more peaceful life where our minds, bodies, emotions and souls are in a healthy alignment.  For many, it’s an important endeavor to incorporate activities that bring us joy whether it’s spending time with loved ones or making time for favorite hobbies and pasttimes. 

This year of uncertainty, where all of our shows have been cancelled, I’ve learned first hand how having more balance in my life leads to being healthier and happier. 

The shows we participate in each year are exciting and rewarding.  We love seeing our friends, valued customers and experiencing the camaraderie of the artists.  It was a great disappointment to see all our shows cancelled and realize this part of our life has been put temporarily on hold. But we’ve also witnessed positive changes as well.

“Don’t work so hard that you forget to enjoy your life.”

― Akiroq Brost

Normally, our days from May to December, were jam packed with working; creating jewelry, marketing, and preparations for shows.  But this summer, our time has opened up to allow for other pursuits.  Long time dreams of expanding other interests like photography and watercolors have come to fruition. We’re still working with our jewelry, but have altered our days so they are more balanced. Rather than work in the studio to all hours of the night, and pushing ourselves to creative exhaustion, we’ve learned how much more inspired we are when we’ve had time to relax.

We’ve made time for exercise with daily hikes accompanied by our delighted golden retrievers.  Feeling physically stronger, we’re also eating more healthy foods, taking advantage of local produce.  Searching for and creating inspirational greeting cards has helped to restore a sense of hope and positivity. https://dreamscapejewelry.com/dreamscapes-visions-of-nature-photography/ Other little adjustments like making time for daily meditation, playing favorite music while we work, getting enough sleep and limiting my news junkie surfing has had a positive impact. 

“Nature does not take sides, it is just maintaining or restoring the balance.”

― Mihail Militaru

Spending time in nature has always soothed away any anxieties and reminds us about the constancy of change and the fact that challenges are part of life. The gift of extra time to explore this beautiful area of northern Maine, has been influential in providing a welcome sense of calm and peace. Observations of the natural world show us the value of perseverance and how each seemingly separate living thing is actually connected in infinite ways.  Like the animals and plants that make up the forest community, each one of us has multiple connections with the outside world.  Lessons learned from nature? We are not alone, things change and we can and will persevere in the challenging days to come.

While worries about the future still remain, we are comforted by the knowledge that  the trials and tribulations of life are balanced out by the joys. When life eventually (and hopefully) returns to normal, we will be taking care in our designs to create a more  balanced life. 

“Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.”

– Jana Kingsford

How can you live a balanced life right now?  What changes can you implement to increase a sense of contentment and maintain positivity?  

As always thank you for reading our blog.  Please feel free to share your thoughts, or this blog with someone who might find it meaningful.

Inspirational Quotes to Share

“Too much of one thing can end up creating stress; this is something that no one needs in their life. But living a life in balance can provide harmony and peace.”

– Catherine Pulsifer

“What I dream of is an art of balance.”

-Henri Matisse

“Achieve balance through the combined conscious states of the heart and mind.”

– Steven Redhead

“Self-care is how you take your power back.”

― Lalah Delia

“The calm and balanced mind is the strong and great mind; the hurried and agitated mind is the weak one.”

– Wallace D. Wattles

“In all aspects of our lives balance is key. Doing one thing too much can cause upset, like the old saying goes, everything in moderation is the secret!”

– Catherine Pulsifer

“A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your step as you walk the tightrope of life.”

– William A Ward

“We need to introduce a little balance into your life. Part of this balance means not missing out on some of the marvels of life around you, the fun, some excitement, or other challenges in life.”

– Catherine Pulsifer

“But you do have choices about how you spend your time. Balancing what you need to do with what you want to do can lead to happiness and success.”

 – Stephen Hall

“The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man.”

– Euripides

“Happiness depends on how you balance your life’s equations between positive and negative experiences and attitudes.”

-Kall

“Too much of one thing can end up creating stress; this is something that no one needs in their life. But living a life in balance can provide harmony and peace.”

– Catherine Pulsifer

Stay healthy and safe!