I admire your new years resolution. I think that a lot of people can let work consume them, and we forget to focus on the health of our private lives!

While we may miss you at times, you must always put yourself first! All us fans will always be here!

Great blog and topics! Always look forward to your updates!

DL

dana – Thank you. Yes, I am blessed to have so many good things going on. I do need to take the chance to slow down once in a while and simply enjoy them.

Biker – That’s wonderful news. Thank you to you and your wife for helping find loving homes for so many needy cats.

Hairbrushman – I wish you all the best and much luck in achieving your goals for 2010 too.

Erica – I mean it! I have felt bad that I haven’t commented more often because I’d then feel pressured to do all of the other MySpace stuff too and that’s not really fair to either one of us. So, I’ll use MySpace for what makes me happiest and that is to read and comment on your blog posts.

tim – Happy New Year to you too!

karaJ – Type A’s unite!!! I haven’t tried meditation per se. I have tried deep breathing as needed to calm down and tried to zip off to my “happy place” when I’m feeling stressed out and unable to remove myself from the situation (like riding in a car full of bickering people). But meditating is something that I think will have to come a little later once I’ve learned to be ok in sitting and relaxing a little.

Jeoffry – Yes, you are right. I think even with dividing my personality into those four parts though, I need to remind myself that none will be accomplished if I don’t balance myself within each category. For example, the body cannot be that of a soldier without both physical challenge and rest and nourishment.

rob – Absolutely. I know there are many things that I love and want to do or experience but I simply need to give myself permission to put them first once in a while.

rtg – Resolutions are tough to keep and no doubt I will falter. The key is to not throw in the towel but to try again.

AK – thank you. And yes, there will be lots of good things coming up in 2010.

ddon – I hope you are enjoying getting settled back in at home. Happy New Year to you.

CurtisG – Wow thank you!!!

harry – thanks. I greatly enjoy blogging and it would simply not be the same without the interaction and input from readers like you. I look forward to continuing to chat about spanking and vanilla life too here in 2010.

mudd – Don’t worry. As I said, the changes will be subtle and I will still be giving everything my 100% dedication. I simply won’t be giving it 150% which then leads to burnout which then leads to 0% because I can’t keep up that pace. I hope you’ll find the time to unwind a bit too as we all need quality “me time”.

Kim – Awwww thanks!!! You’re right about having to take care of yourself first on occasion. Not feeling guilty will be a struggle, but I think it’s simply a part of the challenge of change.

Dr. Ken – thank you!!! I’m right there with you. I want to keep going like the Energizer bunny and simply need to pace myself in order to do so.

Prefectdt – Yes, burn out is common, but I don’t think it’s limited to this industry alone. I know that I became burned out when working in clinical and that most people in any job or situation can become overwhelmed at times. But although it’s definitely work, what I do for PB is certainly one of the most enjoyable jobs I’ve had and I treasure this opportunity.

Funbun – I have been incorporating more water into my diet especially with all of my time spent being a gym rat, but I have not given up Diet Coke entirely. I’m hoping I can be balanced there as well. Having a couple cans a day is far better than a case!

Linde – Just got your email. Thanks! I will reply to you very soon, I promise. Wow. I’m so happy that you and so many others really related to my rather personal post. I never can be certain how things will be received and interpretted, but I’m incredibly thankful that you and so many others have provided encouragement and support!!

amberdawn – Happy New Year to you too! I hope you enjoyed every moment of your candlelit bath. That sounds heavenly.

Jeff – I have recently started yoga and love it. It’s wonderful because it helps me stretch and balance and is active enough to appease the demon that tells me I must constantly be busy and productive but is calming enough to allow me to focus and become centered.

ddon – not too many asian grocers out this way, I’m afraid. I do enjoy lots of fresh local produce when it’s in season. Best stuff ever.

sir funkytown – I’ve heard of that. I’m currently reading another book that has referenced the one you mentioned. I may get that one next.

Juju – Hehehe. We don’t want MySpace, we want EricaSpace.

Alan – Shoot, I knew I was doing something wrong. I guess multitasking isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

Crystal – Thanks! Hope you are doing well.

Denis – Linde is right. No cut, I’m wearing a ponytail as I am mid-workout in this picture at the gym.

Pandora – I’m not at all surprised that you can relate! You often seem to have a lot going on too. And thank you for the reminder that it may take a while to really make the change and establish proper balance. It definitely would be counterproductive to beat myself up for essentially constantly beating myself up! But if I’m not careful, that’s exactly what I’d do. I hope 2010 is great for you too.

2Good – Thank you! Now those are spankings that would be welcomed.

But I hear you on that elusive balance. It may take longer than a year to get it right. I figure I’ll probably still be working it out when I’m fifty! But downtime is really important, for your mental and physical health, and I wish you all the best in caring for yourself and carving out leisure time. Hope 2010 is a chilled, happy year for you and yours

The only think wrong with the picture above is that the negative is backwards (or Pixie wears shirts with strange encoded messages lol)

And .. NO I haven’t written that personal letter to you yet, Pixie!!

Linde