By: Carol King
I am a breast cancer survivor. One comes through that life-changing experience with a sense of having reached a turning point where “things just have to change,” even if I am a CPA in public practice!
Needless to say, stress is the underlying theme of a tax practice—multiple deadlines to track, continuous tax law changes, swings in the economy, client business and life challenges, and a practice to manage. There was a time when working endless hours was the pride of a successful CPA practice. Thankfully, those days are over. Now developing a personal rhythm that allows for one’s body and soul to recover is the grounding and life force that keeps us going. And I hope that everyone is living into this new way of life.
For me, this new life rhythm means that I leave the office so I can make my way to the Asheville Ballroom for dance lessons three to four evenings a week (even during tax season). I think of this as parallel to going to the gym, but for me, it is a lot more fun. In the last couple of years, I have learned to waltz, fox trot, rumba, swing, etc. The group classes are so much fun! Interestingly, no partners are required because one learns to dance quicker by changing partners. Even couples attending the class find themselves constantly changing partners as well. Another surprise for me was the age range of the participants; the dancers run from teenagers to folks in their 90s!
Enthusiasm for dance grows over time. Before I knew it, I was attending the Saturday night social dances (again changing partners) and even participating in a Ballroom Showcase (similar to a dance recital). What fun—dance, dress-ups, stage make-up, and lots and lots of make-believe! This is truly a wonderful way to shake off the stress of a tax practice, for one quickly finds it is absolutely impossible to think about clients or tax returns when your feet are dancing. It just can’t happen.
Oh and did I mention I have several new dance clients as well?!
Happy Dancing to you all!!
Carol King was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. However, her King family roots are embedded in the heart of the Piedmont. For the last 25 years, Carol has lived in the mountains of Western North Carolina. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Asheville where she earned a BS in Accounting. Carol operates a CPA firm in Asheville that has a practice focus in taxation, small business consulting, and financial advising. She is also an investment advisor representative for 1st Global Capital Corporation. An entrepreneur by nature, Carol has spent her career owning and operating several different businesses in addition to her CPA and Financial Advising Firm. She has served on numerous non-profit boards including those teaching micro-enterprise, to those building a park in the center of downtown Asheville, to those serving in the medical and health area. She was also a founder of a local community and served on the board for many years. Three children and six grandchildren are the dearest people in Carol’s personal life. For fun, Carol ballroom dances regularly. However, she always takes time for Brandy, her 19 year old mare appaloosa horse that has taught her much about herself and much about leadership as a natural horsewoman.