Ostara Sunset
© David Pilsworth

 

 My themes for this year were really quite simple: to seek balance between my personal life and my career, and to sow the seeds that will make this a successful year. For that was the lesson I learned last year: in order to achieve my goals for the year, I need to 'prepare the ground' and to 'sow the seeds' that will lead to a successful 'harvest'.

The search for balance is perhaps one of the key goals of my year. I work a competitive industry, and I believe that I am good at my job. It is a role that I enjoy, because I am able to fulfil the requirements of my employers without compromising my personal morals and standards.
    It is important for us all to balance our lives. Many of us find ourselves in the situation of playing several roles, that of a parent, a partner or spouse, a volunteer for a local good cause (or even a national one), an employee. The list is pretty much endless, because our lives are so much more involved now. I was watching a programme on the life of Fred Dibnah the other day, and he was recalling a simpler time, when women stayed at home and men went to work. Those days are gone, not least because when one has to pay for childcare and a mortgage, it generally requires two incomes.

Last year, I learned that by working and by putting in the effort, I can achieve my goals for the year. My harvest can be good and successful if I do my share. However, that work comes at a price. I do not wish my family life to suffer, or to be unable to train due to injury. Such things would add to the stress of a stressful job, and in the end, I would be doing no one any favours, not least myself.

So I need the balance, as do we all. I need to make the time for the other side of my life, away from my career. So this year, I have made a few promises to myself:

PERSONAL LIFE

bulletI will ensure I go to karate training each week, unless I am working away from home or sick/injured.
bulletI will complete my Assistant Cricket Coach certificate, but no more than that. It is only fair for some of those fathers who take their sons to the practices to put themselves forward.
bulletI will finish at least two big paintings to put into the village art show this year.
bulletI will book out 'mother and son' time with my son during school holidays, when we can do things that will be for just the two of us.

WORK LIFE

bulletI will get at least 90% of my sales target
bulletI will develop and achieve results in some of the projects on which I am working (subject to external influences!)
bulletI will achieve public acknowledgement of the contribution I make to the company

SPIRITUAL LIFE

bullet Remember to take time to recall the seasons of the year and what they mean.
bulletTake at least one 'retreat' type break during the year to re-charge myself (Got that planned already).

This page is a bit different from my usual 'thoughts for the season', but then we all change, and so does the way that I am approaching my Sabbats. We need to grow and in order to grow successfully, we need to plan how we can achieve that growth: personally, professionally and spiritually.

Here's to a successful harvest for 2006.