Balance is something I struggle with. I have not been able to find a balance in much of anything as of late. How do I balance the need to work and bring in income and having the time I need with my family? We've balanced it in terms of one of us always being with the kids, but that doesn't balance family life or time to do things together as a family. How do I balance keeping a neat home with not creating contention and a bad spirit by 1)yelling at the kids 2) being frustrated and angry with them and 3)both not yelling and not being frustrated and angry when any little progress I make is destroyed five minutes later. How do I balance the need to fulfill myself so I have something to give with the constant needs of five little ones and a husband, not to mention sisters I visit teach, people in the ward who need help and the many other demands on my time that stem from the afore mentioned? How do I balance the budget with the ever increasing demands on it, including a house that is in need of repairs, not cosmetic upgrades but structural, functional repairs?
How do I fit in time for scripture study and prayer and the basics? I can't fit in time to use the bathroom without something or someone being hurt or needing my attention.
So like I said balance is something I'm really struggling with. I am sorry to be such a downer right now. Hopefully I will find a little more balance and be able to post more often, and share some happy and fun things!
7 comments:
I think that finding balance is a lifelong project. It is not something we just arrive at. I was pretty discouraged with how hard it is to get anything done and then I started thinking about all of the families that I know. Really thinking and trying to see their discouragements instead of their accomplishments. I think a lot of times I look at others and only see how awesome they are and get dicouraged with my own inabilities but we are all blessed with trials that are ment to stretch us and that stretching is hard. It is reshaping us after all. I am so sorry you are feeling discouraged. I wish I was close I would come play and help. But since I am here and you are there I will just say that from my perspective you are awesome. Incredible. A great mom. A great member of the church. a wonderful friend. Love you Joanna
I don't think this is a downer at all. I think it's the struggle many of us have no matter our situation. This is reality...the good and the less good...Hang in there!
I think balance is something that is difficult for most people, certainly for me. Although you were probably not as aware then as you would be now, you saw how hard it was for your mom and me. You just have to do the best you can and enjoy the ride.
I definately sympathize with your frustrations. Right now I have had the same to do list for three weeks running, and the only things I mark off each week are laundry and maybe one or two small errands. Arghh! Then I look at the neighbors I have helped, as I watch their kids, the Joy School I help provide for Hannah and how happy she is when it is a school day, the fieldtrips I get to go on with Jeremiah, the Doctor's Appointments we have kept and received the treatment for the sickness that sent us there, and the list could go on and on....they just aren't the things I had "planned" to accomplish during the week.
It's true - balance seems to elude most of us. I agree, if we would just reflect at the end of the day all the great things accomplished no matter how small and not on our "to do" list we might feel more contented and grateful for the hugs we gave, the knees bandaged and the two verses of scripture read! You are a great mom and we love you!
I SO understand you, but I don't have the excuse of having nearly as many things pulling at me as you do. I have to adopt the philosophy that life is about FINDING balance, not always living with it. Thinking that way helps me some days.. but not most :)
This is, as others have said, the main challenge in life. I have always struggled with it. It is always hard, and no matter what my stage of life, I still face it with different elements. Living near the spirit is the only way, I think, to walk the line, and that is also not so easy. Hang in there. Aunt Lynda
Post a Comment