Finding Your Balance

 




In this week's reading, many points were brought up about balance, time, boundaries, and priorities.
 
For each of us in this life, one of the biggest challenges we will have to face will be to find balance.

Balance not only in the professional world but balance in life. At different times we will almost feel as though we are at a circus trying to balance on the tight rope, but we had both feet on the rope and were wearing a harness. This might be the time when we are single and living the "life". Life was good and seemed easy and we felt invincible. I remember those days looking back now. But at the time I didn't feel like it was "the dream". I dreamed of family, career, vacations, and being able to do it all, I was invincible and knew I could show the world how it was supposed to be done.

Obviously, at the time I had tunnel vision, I could only see what I wanted to see. Now I see my life at times on that same tight rope.  Only this time I am barely holding on, without a harness. I am like many who try to take too much on, all at once, thinking I am invincible. My priorities are in the wrong place and I am focused on the wrong things and people.

Balance is more than just work and life. Life is more than just one thing. Life encompasses many hats and strings pulling us in different directions. Creating balance in our life requires us to set boundaries and priorities and realizing that we don’t have to wear all the hats at one time.
 
For me balance begins with how I have chosen to start my day. Years ago, I read this quote by Pres. Ezra Taft Benson: 
“When we put God first, 
all other things fall into their proper place 
or drop out of our lives. 
Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, 
the demands on our time, 
the interests we pursue, 
and the order of our priorities.”

I believe this so strongly and found it so true in my life. If I put the Lord first in my life, by reading my scriptures and praying, it becomes empowering for me. It is like putting on physical metal armor, I feel invincible. I want to scream it from the rooftops to “bring it on”.  On the flip side those days that I don’t make it a priority that armor is noticeably missing and so is my unconquerable attitude and belief in myself.

This week has once again has been very eye-opening for me. I am beginning to see where my focus and priorities need to be. Surprisingly, the thoughts of a career and making a professional name for myself are fading. My balance and priorities are myself, my family, and my religion.

Myself: if I don’t focus on me and make time for me, who will? I can’t forget myself in the equation of life. I need to have time to remember who I am and make time to become the best me I can be. I need to focus on my physical health, my mental health, and my spirituality.

Family is my everything. It is what I eat, breathe, and sleep. Not only for my kids, husband but my parents and siblings. I often hope that the legacy that I am leaving is one that will be remembered for my unconditional love and devotion to them.

My religion is the core of who I am. I know I am a child of God. I know he has a great plan and purpose for me. I am beginning to see myself more through his eyes. I want others to feel his love and to know of the peace and hope that he has to offer. I feel the pull to reach out more, to serve more, and to give back more. The Lord is only asking for a will heart and mind.

This quote from this week's readings really stood out to me and I hope it will help you to ponder your priorities and to help you find the balance and direct you are seeking, as it has me.

“Think of this a thousand years from now, 
no one is going to ask you what company you ran, 
how much money you made, 
your greatest legacy will be your family 
and your service in the Kingdom of God. 
Never forget that. 
Always be a light to the world through your actions and your integrity. 
One of the things that the world lacks today 
that you can fill is integrity and honesty 
and you will stick out like a sore thumb out there 
and people will see that and they’ll like that. 
And they’ll want you to be a part of what they’re doing.” 
Jan Newman








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