I love this time of year because it’s the season to prepare the soil for the growth that I would like to see in my life in the months ahead. It’s an opportunity for a fresh start, a do over, or do better. For me, I would like to do better at finding balance in my life. Several years ago, God gave me a vision for a ministry, which led me to start CORE Women. CORE Women is based on four pillars: mind, body, spirit, and community. CORE stands for Cultivating Open Real Empowered Women. He showed me that, like our physical cores need to be strong to support our bodies, women need to be strong to support their families, friends, and community. Throughout my life, I have tried to find balance in these areas and have done okay at different times, but usually find I am stronger in one area than another. This year, I invite you to join me on my journey of finding balance, as I take a deeper dive into the following areas to ensure each one is getting the attention it deserves.”
I believe these four areas – mind, body, spirit, and community are the combination of elements needed to produce the rich soil for balance in our lives
MIND– It’s important for us to feed our minds. How does the saying go? If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. Well, I don’t want to lose it! Whatever interests you, learn more about it. Whatever the topic is, learn and grow.
BODY– Who doesn’t look in the mirror and see areas you would like to improve, or go to the doctor and find there are areas you need to improve? If you can’t relate, I’m giving you a (slightly sarcastic) high five. The truth is most of us could do better in this area.
SPIRIT– Although I have listed this third, it’s the most important one. What I’m referring to when I say “spirit,” is my spiritual walk. Of all the pillars, if I don’t give this area of my life the amount of time and attention it needs, I am not my best self. With our busy schedules, it’s easy to let this area fall behind. If you find you are feeling stressed or just “off,” pause and consider if this might be an area that needs watering.
COMMUNITY– Sometimes I get caught up in my own world and need to stop and shift the focus off myself to others. It’s easy to get distracted or weighed down with life. You might be surprised how taking the focus off yourself and giving back to the community can reset your perspective and bring you joy.
I’ve heard it said that balance, as it relates to life, is impossible. Is it? I believe these four areas – mind, body, spirit, and community are the combination of elements needed to produce the rich soil for balance in our lives. I hope you will join me on this journey, and I encourage you to be kind to yourself and thankful, each day, for another chance to do better ─ because that means you’re still alive!
Julie Sides Farrar is a 4th generation Waxahachie girl who married her kindergarten sweetheart , Eric. Between the two of them, they have 3 girls and 2 boys. She has a Bachelors Degree in marketing, and a Masters in Business Administration. Julie is also a personal trainer, nutrition coach and group fitness dance instructor. Additionally, she is the vice president of Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce and is also a Personal Trainer at the YMCA of Waxahachie. She has a ministry called CORE Women, and enjoys spending time with women and young ladies, focusing on “getting back to who God created us to be before the world told us who we were.” To learn more about CORE Women.
JOIN THE JOURNEY @WEARECOREWOMEN
