Friday, October 7, 2011

Teeter Totter---Finding the balance


I used to love riding the teeter totter on the playground.  Granted, the proportion of fun directly related to the size of my co-totterer and their desire to play at the same speed as my expectation.  Sometimes it was fun to go just as fast as two silly girls could jump, but other times the process of finding perfect equilibrium and balance between the two of us proved a more significant challenge.  It required thought and teamwork.

Isn't that funny how life often mimics this same pattern.  Sometimes it is fun to simply chase through life as fast as you can with no regard to tomorrow or even the next minute.  A person devoting all their time to school, or their job, or even their church.  But usually a time comes when there develops another priority that gains in value and later requires a balance, such as a significant relationship, a child or a friend in need. Finding the true balance is the difficult part.  Ask any working parent how hard it is to provide for their family while making sure each child feels love and importance within the family.  It's a daily investment and choice.

Finding balance is everywhere.  I think my greatest struggle comes with my eating habits.  I can either eat very little in strict compliance and work out like crazy, or snack on the ice cream while laying around watching a movie.  I know that the ultimate success occurs when I eat and exercise with balance, instead of riding the pendulum from starvation to gluttony, back and forth, back and forth, sometimes just as fast as the teeter totter in warp speed mode.

I think most people today fill many roles throughout their 24 hours around the sun. mother, father, daughter, son, sibling, coworker, friend, boss, neighbor, member, etc.  I hate it when I feel as though I've performed many jobs throughout the day, filled several roles, and none completed in a way that allowed me to feel proud.  I feel sometimes like I merely half-ass do everything simply to reach the "end of the daily list". And I know when my soul feels this way, I'm searching for balance, and not yet finding it.

7 comments:

  1. "I feel sometimes like I merely half-ass do everything simply to reach the "end of the daily list". And I know when my soul feels this way, I'm searching for balance, and not yet finding it."
    I know this feeling and I don't like it either. I work everyday on being all I can be but knowing that I can't be it all!
    Wonderful post.

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  2. Know exactly what you mean in that last paragraph. Still, those few times you're able to finish a job--really finish it--the sense of satisfaction is just incredible, isn't it?

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  3. Your last paragraph spoke to me, too. I think that's exactly why I've been craving a simpler life. Less balls to juggle.

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  4. The fulcrum keeps moving....

    Great blog!

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  5. Well said. Sometimes we fail to notice what a balancing acts our lives are.
    But hey, I'm easy. I have ice cream, I have equilibrium.

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  6. balance is a decision and it begins every day..how TRUE!

    in the health field FOREVER and guess what..never ate balanced..and actually was starving myself. today have to say..first time in ever..eating a balanced meal; two starches, 3 fruits, 4 vegetables and 2 proteins, non fat milk, 1/2 tsp of margarine NO SUGAR and its a miracle. Never felt better, skin looks fantastic and have energy galore. Its been a struggle..but guess what..we ARE WORTH IT. ONCE we realize this......balance comes. Never said it would be easy..its an art to be applied and mastered..and guess what..YOU ARE WORTH IT

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  7. it's not what you do with your day,
    it's what you have done with destiny
    whether you are a High School Teacher or a Brain Surgeon or a Famous Actress, as long as you have lifted the spirit and hope of another, your day is complete!
    Even if you burn your dinner, that doesn't remove the love you had when preparing it!
    Enjoyed the post! Have an awesome day! Marc :)

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