I really believe in the importance of taking a breather, doing something you love or enjoy. By taking a break, even if for a moment, you can recenter yourself and be a better mother, friend, spouse or just be a better self.

I recently found a video (thanks Gustavo) describing this philosophy, from a man. Do men know and understand balance better than women?

The video is part of a Web site dedicated to inspirational videos, posted daily. The content of the videos is powerful, and there’s no catch. Just free inspirational videos.

Watch the video below, listen to the philosophy and see if you can put it into action in your life. Can’t you see yourself sitting in that lounge chair for a few moments today, sipping a cool beverage and taking in some “me” time?

Related:
Sell all of Kickstart’s videos at its Kickstartmyday.com Web site.

Is there any such thing as life after motherhood? I think not. Someone found BalancingMotherhood.com by searching for that phrase. I don’t think there is a possibility of an “after motherhood” scenario. Even when your children grow up and leave the house, you are still always a mother. Later in life you’ll be a grandmother.

Women are forever changed after the birth or adoption of a child. We can’t hit the back button and unchange that fact. It’s life. It’s glorious. I say, “Once a mother, always a mother.“

Read a great article this weekend in “The Orlando Sentinel” about allowances for children. Here’s some of the advice the author gives about how much to give your kids:

Beginning around the ages of 5 to 7, give 50 cents for each year old the child is.

At age 10, give $1 per years old.

Ouch, that second one could get costly for parents. A 14-year-old will get $56 a month. With the rising cost of gas and food, $56 would be a substantial chunk out of the family budget. I remember when I was in about the eighth grade, I got $5 a week. And, I was happy for it. A classmate of mine got $10! Her parents were rich. I remember dreaming of what I would do with $10 a week.

Since my son is only two, I don’t have to deal with this issue for a few more years. Gives me time to decide how much, and for what, I’ll give him.

The article goes on to talk about giving your kids money as a tool, to learn from and to teach proper work ethic. Read the full article here.

A while back I wrote about how I want to get a GPS system and how I think it would be beneficial for all women to have one (men too, actually — yeah, maybe men need directions even more). Anyway, I have a new addition to what I’m calling the “women’s toolbox” that I think women need to have at their disposal — the ability to drive a stick-shift automobile.

I can’t imagine not being able to drive any car I wanted. Not being able jump into any vehicle and take to the open road. Having the ability to drive a manual transmission gives me those options. It also give me options in times of emergencies. What if my car was in the shop and the only one I could borrow was a stick?

I find, however, that there are many people in this world that can’t drive one. You’re not too old to learn.

The best way to learn is to buy one. That’s what I did. It was my second car. At the dealership I paid for the car, signed all the papers and was handed the keys. Now what? Crap! I had to drive it home. So, drive it home I did, jerking and stalling at every traffic light. My boyfriend at the time was driving behind me so I had some added “protection,” but I had to figure out how to get that sucker home on my own. The drive (punn intended) to get places is what gave me the will to learn how to operate this complicated vehicle. And, today, I am forever thankful. Not only is driving a stick important, it’s fun. It gives you a lot more power and control over your vehicle.

We recently got a new car and it’s an automatic and I’m not sure how I feel about it. Now, we have two automatic drives. I asked my husband if we would forget how to drive a stick. He was quick to say it’s like riding a bike. OK, I feel better.

Related:

• Women’s Toolbox Item #1: GPS

“It’s a good thing if you find a leak.
It’s a bad thing if a leak finds you.”

This wise wisdom is from a coworker (thanks Josh) who was stationed on a submarine in a previous career.

This saying can so easily be applied to real life by just saying, “be proactive.” Easier said than done, but good advice none the less.