Finding Balance

Why is it so hard to find balance in life? What is it about the human condition that makes us go to extremes in one area and then ignore another almost completely? For example the classic struggle of working too much and ignoring your family’s needs. That is certainly one of my struggles.

Is it that we try to do too much? Is the equation more complicated than twenty-four hours minus sleep minus family minus work? Do we try to add more things? For myself I try to add cycling, writing this blog, Facebook, reading, television, church, friends. Don’t forget about house work, yard work and our budget.

We do not accept the limits that life and God have put on us. We think we are supermen and women. We are not. We can only do so much in the twenty-four hours of each day. Contrary to popular belief we can’t really multitask either. In any specific moment you can only do one thing. We can change between tasks rapidly, and I am a master of this. Fundamentally though I am only doing one thing at a time.

I don’t like it, but I think the answer to finding balance is cut. Cut everything that isn’t really important. Figure out what matters and focus on that. Also, don’t try to do too much in those areas. For example, cycling and being in shape is important to me. Is it important that I race though? Not really. I’m raising a child and have a demanding job. Now is not the time to spend twenty plus hours on the bike. I can ride and be in decent shape though.

My answer - accept our limits.