As you sift through the daily list of things to do, do you find yourself wanting to set the work aside? Do you vision yourself pushing away from the computer? Could you possibly be so bold to consider turning off the cell phone?
We are definitely a world full of list makers. Lists that guide us through each and every day.
As elaborate and carefully put together our lists are, some of us are better than others at working a balance into our lives.
Is balance in life important?
Busyness in life does not segregate itself into a few of life’s roles. Power to the homemaker that has learned to say “no.” By example, perhaps she can help the business owner that feels he nearly needs to work around the clock. And what about the woman that reports to the corporate job each day? She drags herself to the laptop, even working from home on the days she is too sick to travel to the office.
We can block off the calendar to show others that we are not available during a certain period of time, to ensure we get work done in our office, can we do the same for our personal lives?
Some say their minds are healthier, they accomplish more when they simply say, “Enough is enough.” Does shutting the work day down lead to procrastination? Or does it lead to a fresh start, accomplishments that abound once we return to work?
I know, some of these questions are “no-brainers.” But we do not always listen to our brains, we ignore our wills, even though they are screaming out to us, “Stop this ride!”
At what point do you “stop the ride?”
Do you take charge and pull the brake?
Do you come to a screeching halt, just when you cannot possibly take it any longer? Or do you plan for a smooth stop?
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Balance is important. It keeps things running smoothly and keeps us from toppling. I believe the successful woman recognizes her responsibilities, sets priorities, and schedules accordingly. Completing the important things and maintaining organization in our lives promotes peace and well being. I had to learn this the hard way. Sometimes we try to be all things to all people till we self-destruct and are little use to anyone, including ourselves.
I have something now that is so valuable to me because there never seemed to be any before; that something it “time”. Time to visit with a friend, exercise,work on crafts, help someone who needs help, volunteer. All because I learned to say ‘no’ to needless things.
I have friends that pride themselves on a hectic lifestyle. I can’t say they look like they are having much fun, and they never seem to be very healthy OR happy! And they constantly complain!
Obviously, balance is important! It leads to peace and contentment. If I could go back and do it again, I would concentrate on taking time to enjoy my children while they were young and taking better care of myself.
Debbie, you said that with conviction. I know you have your feet firmly planted in that respect.
Learning to say “no,” and managing our own lives. Managing to ensure we take care of ourselves, and having the wisdom to ensure the balance is there to allow it all to happen.
I like it.
Can you say “merry-go-round?” “Rat race?” We are all upside-down, thinking that money and power is the end-all to happiness. We chase money, and that’s a never-ending cycle. The Lord told the rich, young ruler to give it all up and follow Him. The young man couldn’t, and he went away from Jesus sad.
Can we give up the chase and welcome the simpler pleasures into our lives? That’s a pivotal question we all have to answer.
Thank you for the thought provoking post.
Thoughtful comments. Rat Race. Merry-Go-Round.
“Can we give up the chase and welcome the simpler pleasures into our lives?”
Can we sweep out the way we presently think, and allow room for the little things, the real things? The things that we will take with us some day?
Thought provoking.
It took me a lot of years to be able to say “no.” The older I get the more I have to be keeping things as simple as possible or I lean towards depression.
Oh boy, Joanna. Depression can raise its ugly head at us, can’t it?
Some dive into more work to beat depression.
My worst problem is not being able to identify when I am tired. Then I do not perform all that well and the disgust flares. Reminding myself to park the go-cart!
This does make you think.
Taking on a full time job in september has made me very busy. I still try to do all the things I did while not working outside the home & it is imposible.
[…] About Bringing The Balance Back Into A Busy Life […]
We must learn to put on the brakes and take some time for relaxation.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!
I left comments for Stacey yesterday. They seemed to have gone poof!
I am glad you recognize that it is impossible to be able to do what you did before. Kudos to you! Hopefully you will find your middle ground and work it from there. Best wishes.
Becky, I had similar thoughts. If we are always working, the dullness comes in. Without fun, we are not very well rounded. Great comment!
[…] wrote two posts, When 24 Hours Is Not Enough (here) and Bringing The Balance Back Into A Busy Life (here). Unanimously, the comments circled around keeping lists, learning to say no, getting off of the […]