Life Balance or Concentrated Focus. Can we have both?

What does it mean to have a balanced life? Is that even possible? Are we striving for an unrealistic ideal?

When my children were all very young, I used to (half) jokingly comment that I can attend to my daily spiritual practice, OR exercise OR provide meals for my family, but I can’t do them all (in the same day).

A mother of a newborn baby dreams of time to take a shower or read a book. A college student studying for finals pines for a full night’s sleep. An individual with a serious illness longs for days not filled with pain or the seemingly endless round of doctor’s appointments.

Is it possible to ever achieve a balanced life?

I don’t have the answer for that, but…

I wonder if broadening our definition of a balanced life might relieve us of the stress of that never-ending quest.

Our kids understand that summer-time means farm work, and that the crops are the priority. That is our livelihood. No amount of cajoling, sad eyes, or crying alters the fact that when the hay is ready to be cut or the grain is ready to combine, that’s what we do.

There is no negotiating with nature.

So, for that period of time, all focus and attention is on the crops. My need as a wife to go on a date, my children’s social need to spend time with friends, even my husband’s need for sleep, cannot alter that focus.

Other areas of our life, of necessity, are set aside for a time.

And that is ok!

Our children know that when the harvest is over (and we’ve all caught up on sleep), the focus of our efforts will change. As the farm work slows down, other areas of our life can once again begin to take precedence. Dad will be available for family trips. We’ll have time to attend school events. We have time to go on dates.

In other words, our lives will balance out over a period of time.

Are you feeling out of balance because this season in your life is not allowing you to do other things? Are you having to spend your efforts in one area, feeling guilty about not being able to attend to other wants or needs?

I invite you to look at the immediateness of your experience. Extend your vision to the long-term ebb and flow to discover the balance? You can then move forward with confidence rather than the judgement that life is not working.

Give yourself permission to focus for a time on the needed project at hand, understanding that balance will finally be achieved.

Have you seen this working in your life? I’d love to hear any insights you might have to share.

With love,