Taking time for myself and a lower stress level are very much linked for me. As my last post indicated, the stress level was very much reduced this past year. That is why taking time for myself rose to “B” also.

I am taking a break from many of the volunteer duties I have been involved in over the past 3-5 years. At first I felt guilty, but then I realized that my health is more important than helping out community and church non-profits. It’s a balance you need to make. I think I am coming to the balance I need to be at without becoming uninvolved.

I spend a lot of time chatting with folks about my lapband surgery. I have found this very valuable. There are a lot of lessons to be learned from others in your same situation. Like any on-line community, you need to learn to take the valuable lessons and throw out the trash. One of the most important things I have learned is that you need to make yourself and your health the #1 priority. This is harder to do than you think. I have made exercise, diet and relaxation a higher priority to help accomplish this goal.

I think this coming year will be a transformative year for me. As I pull back and examine my life, I think I will have a better picture of where I fit into many things. I can not see myself not being involved in community activism and support. I think it will end up a big part of who I am. It will most likely take on a different shape by this time next year.