When I was a financial advisor, my trainer liked to remind me that "life happens every 6 months".

Boy, has life happened to us.

With my head down, I plowed forward to launch a new company, a live event for mom entrepreneurs, and a new Direct Sales coaching business model. While the company and business model seem to be doing well, the live event was scrapped in favor of a virtual event. A costly "happening", to be sure.

Forest's letters have gotten shorter and shorter, while hubby has dragged his feet about completing the parental requirements of having our son at camp. It's only been in the past month or so that hubby has even written to Forest, and he's been at camp for more than 8 months now.

Eventually, all this foot dragging resulted in an eruption - where I finally gave up my ability to B.S. anymore. I'm still legally married, but I made it as clear as I know how, that until we resolve the chronically undiscussed issues in our relationship, we don't have a marriage. I even changed my facebook status to "It's complicated" - where it will remain until things are resolved.

Somewhere in the past year, I've tread past a line that can't be reversed. I can't go back again.

My reading list has morphed. I'm picking up Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't and recognizing the underlying issues in my business, my family, my life. I opened Jesus Brand Spirituality: He Wants His Religion Back and started nodding my head as I realized I'm questioning more about my religion than I am my faith. I think I've even discovered a scientific theory behind what faith is and how it really works.

My brain is swimming and I'm thrilled and nervous about where my path is leading.

Thrilled because it's new territory. I'm giving myself space, time and freedom to breathe again. Nervous because I've cut the strings on the boring, routine, unquestioned (unexamined) life. I've given up on B.S. and want more truth, realism and integrity in my life - which starts with me.

I have to be more honest, real, and in alignment with my values. That's a tall order.

Forest is required to select a set of goals to work on during each 6 week session. At first, they were what I would call the "easy ones". Things like "I will not swear when I am frustrated." or "I will respect myself and my things." Now, as he's been there nearly 9 months, his goals are far more challenging.

"I will be a positive example in my group."

"I will learn to share my honest feelings - even when I'm angry or upset."

These are goals that most adults find challenging, and here he is, a 13 (almost 14) year old teenage boy.

Which got me to thinking about how lax my life has been in some respects. One more vote for letting go of the B.S. in all the areas of my life.

Have you taken a glance in the rear-view long enough to see how far you've come this year? Or at the very least, to see how much "life" has been happening in your world?

In my coaching, I talk about 5 Key Areas of Success, and how crucial they are if you want to live a balanced life that you love. I've acknowledged in my own life that there are deficiencies in my own Key Areas that need tending.

So I'm tending. And I invite you to do the same.

 ==========

Lisa Robbin Young is an author, speaker, and lifestyle business coach. Lisa and Forest are writing a book about this camp experience. This blog features bits and pieces of Lisa's perspective. Start your own 30 Days to Renaissance journey at http://TheRenaissanceMom.com, where you'll find helpful videos, podcasts, and resources to help you put life and business in balance without apologies.