by Andrea Christenson, @AndreaC_Author
People talk about having the right balance in life, about making sure work and family are all cared for. When picturing something in balance, it’s easy to imagine all things to be equal—like the scale in the hand of Lady Justice, the plates hanging evenly. The problem with a “balance” model is that life is rarely in perfect balance.
Sometimes a difficult project at work takes priority. Sometimes it’s kids, or a spouse, or an aging parent who needs extra attention. Sometimes a volunteer opportunity takes up more time than expected. Perhaps your writing career needs to be the focus for a while. Different seasons will need different priorities.
Perhaps what is needed is not a sense of balance, but rather a circus act. That’s right, I’m talking about the juggler. And, sure, any juggling act is amazing, but have you ever seen one of those performers who juggles items of different sizes? I once saw a guy juggle a little statue, a Band-Aid container, and a stuffed animal. I think that’s a lot closer to what life is like. We are all juggling items of different sizes and different weights all the time.
Throughout their act, the juggler must remember what thing is coming next—how to catch it and then release it again in a way which keeps it on its course. A watermelon requires a different level of concentration than an orange, and a stuffed animal will land differently than a glass Christmas ball.
But, whether talking about juggling, or about balance, priority is key.
So, how to determine what things take priority? I couldn’t resist the opportunity to make a pun. Here is the Write Life Balance, or how to juggle your life in a healthy way.
W – Why
Know your why. Knowing why you are doing something gives a great perspective on how much influence it should have on your decision making. So ask yourself, why this project? Why this book? Why this job? Etc. This doesn’t mean that only the things you are passionate about ought to be in your life (is anyone passionate about doing the vacuuming??), but it can be a helpful exercise in reminding you what to value.
R – Rest
Okay, so this one seems out of order. Usually in a list like this “rest” goes at the end. But, it’s the next letter in the word and I didn’t want to get docked for poor spelling. Plus, it’s important enough to go near the top! You need to pause for a reset from time to time. Even jugglers do it. Between sets, they stop and adjust. A good rest will help you refocus on the tasks that are important.
I – Innovate
Jugglers use different body parts. Just because you may be in charge of all the things doesn’t mean you have to do them the same way every time. Try new plans, new innovative ways of doing things. Instead of Meatless Monday, you can have Fend for yourself Friday where everyone is in charge of getting their own supper. Change up the chore chart. Get creative about where you do your work. Pretend you have a character in your situation, what things would you counsel her to let slide for now?
T – Thin
Thank goodness I’m not talking about a diet plan! Bring on the chocolate. I once worked at an organic community farm where my job was thinning out the beet plants. I needed to pull about three tiny beet sprouts for every one that I left in the ground. These plants needed space to grow. The same might be true in your life. Are there places where you have to tug out some (potentially even healthy!) activities to make room for other ones to grow?
E – Eternity
This one is not meant to be a Jesus juke, but sometimes this thought really can help us to know where our priorities should lie (or is it lay? I never can remember). Will this thing or that matter for eternity? And, yes, supper can matter for eternity, because if we miss too many we will be in eternity a whole lot sooner!
Your turn. How have you learned to juggle? What tips do you have for me? Does vacuuming ever matter for eternity?
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21
Sometimes the sweetest moments in life are made from the most familiar and ordinary ingredients.
Robin Fox is living out her dreams working in a gourmet bakery in Paris. She thought she’d live there forever, but when her relationship with her boss sours, those dreams crumble. She finds herself back home in Deep Haven, Minnesota, caring for her grandparents’ rundown bakery while they’re away. But she vows that when they return in six weeks, she’ll trade this ordinary life for the one she left behind.
Sammy Johnson has never gotten traction in any area of his life. This hasn’t improved in the almost two years since the accident which nearly killed him. Although his heart is still beating, it contains little passion for the life he’s living in Deep Haven. But that begins to change when he offers to help his former high school friend, Robin.
Working together to keep Fox Bakery from going under, they find more than friendship is simmering between them. But when the six weeks are up, will Robin follow her old dreams back to the glamor of Paris or will she discover how sweet it is to be loved in Deep Haven?
Return to Deep Haven with the Fox Family, where Robin and Sammy find that small town life isn’t ordinary after all.
Andrea Christenson lives in Minnesota with her husband and two daughters. When she is not busy homeschooling her girls, she loves to read anything she can get her hands on, bake bread, eat cheese, and watch Netflix—though not usually all at the same time. You can connect with Andrea on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on her website www.AndreaChristenson.com