Balancing act

little tightrope walker by Victor Joseph Gotto

Finding balance... I am forever trying to acquire that always elusive brass ring of balance. I feel like I'm trying to find that sweet spot at the center of gravity to keep myself upright. For brief moments I feel the comfort and sense of accomplishment of success. I've cared for all my responsibilities of home, family, spirituality and even made time for my own wellness and fed my creativity. But then, whoosh...
I'm right back to wobbling all over the place. Weak kneed and shaking about, everything seems to come undone a mess and incomplete. Then I dig in deep again, get up, clean up and start over, AGAIN. 

Balance seems to be a common struggle in everyone's lives. Balancing work and family. Balance in time spent in entertainment and recreation. Balance in caring for ones health. You name it it must all be balanced out. However, life and that which occurs without our control or influence still happens. It's like a harsh east wind that sometimes gusts at you unexpectedly, throwing dust in your eyes and knocking you off your game.



 Recently I've been contemplating taking on more extensive responsibilities in my bible teaching work. I've been speaking to others who are currently doing it under various circumstances to get their input on how they are able to be successful in this field. It seems to be pretty unanimous in their response. They all struggle with balance. While some have to maintain a fairly strict schedule, all of them must allow for flexibility. No one escapes the curve balls life pitches at you. From time to time they all have to make quick lunges and leaps out of the way of the speeding white bullet to avoid a gnarly black eye or knot on the noggin. Everyone says they are always vacillating back and forth from 'being on top of it' to 'feeling all out of whack'. 


I think the conclusion that I've arrived at is this: Balance is the constant but controlled swing between extremes. Life is going to push you back and forth with the unexpected, like illness, decrease or loss of income, moves, accidents and so on. The key is not getting stuck in any of the extremes for too long. When life presses you into servitude in one particular area, simply take care of it. Address it as necessary and once you have, return to the regularly scheduled program. That is what it means to be balanced. It's not a simple mathematical formula that you will be able to follow every single day of your life. 8 hours of labor, 8 hours of recreation, 8 hours of rest sure sounds great but who can realistically accomplish that on a daily basis?  I know I can't! I have 5 kids! Someone will without a doubt need something from me that will cut into either my 8 hours of recreation or more likely my 8 hours of rest.

So my goal is to stop trying to make every day a perfect proportion of all things. I must accept that each day will be different. Sometimes half the day will need to be spent caring for nothing but my creative need. Some days will be spent knee deep in laundry and groceries while others in deeply meaningful spiritual activity.

 I am beginning to realize that balance is seen through a longer lens. That it is a long term achievement not a short term accomplishment. I think if I can adjust my perspective I'll be a more content and happier person. I can tend to lose my joy and pleasure in life and relationships when I'm trying to accomplish the impossible. That is a critical error on my part and in order to preserve the most valuable things in my life it's imperative that I make some adjustments. For those of you that know me I hope you see positive results.