BALANCE
Balance doesn’t exist. I want it to, because finding some lasting sense of homeostasis would be heaven. However, there are seasons of planting, seasons of working the fields, and seasons of harvest. Everything is cyclical. All of nature and time shows us the ebb and flow of life. So what does it look like to juggle all of our responsibilities in a healthy way?
Give in to, and appreciate, the season. Spring will not come any faster by hating the Winter. Respect the nature of where you are in the cycle. Sometimes we want to plant when it’s time to rest and retreat. Sometimes we want to harvest when we have to continue to cultivate the ground. Reflect and recognize what is required of you in this season and find gratitude.
Decide what you value. It is so easy to get distracted by the demands of our day and become victim to circumstances. We have to ask ourselves each morning, what do we value in this day? What are our priorities? If it is important to you to get ahead in your career, then be present at work. Work hard. Open yourself up to creativity and growth. If it is important to you to be a good parent, then when the work day ends, set it aside. Rest in the truth that the rest will be there tomorrow and if you are faithful to your work and consistent, you will get where you need to go.
Say no. If you are an achiever, this is especially difficult. Space is important. Just because you CAN fit something into your day doesn’t mean you SHOULD. Not every opportunity is going to be life giving for you. Every good opportunity is not good for you. I can’t eat every vegetable in existence every day. If I tried, it would be exhausting, crushingly expensive, and would make me sick trying to force it down. Each vegetable is good. It provides nutrients and good things for the body, but not every vegetable, all the time, is good for me. What is good for someone else, might not be good for you. If someone is allergic to spinach, then spinach is not good for them. Saying no is crucial to your health.
Fill your cup first. Physical and mental health are vital. For me, that looks like getting up early every morning for quiet time before my family. Prayer, gratitude, personal development, and writing are all vital to my day. If the day gets overwhelming, sometimes I’ll stop, lock myself in my room, and meditate. That might not be “productive” but it can determine the rest of my day. Sometimes if I start to zone out and scroll social media, I’ll know that is a signal to stop and go do something else for a bit. Creating boundaries in my day and prioritizing my health ensures that the things I do, and the interactions I have, are valuable.
Don’t despair. Don’t burn out. Life is a gift and it’s short. Enjoy the journey.
