Balance in the Busy

I like to carry as many groceries as possible into the house, hoping to avoid multiple trips. Bags can be distributed between my hands and lined along my arms. Sometimes, I balance a carton of eggs on top of the burdensome load and then attempt to carry a gallon of milk with one finger. The weight is heavy, and my hands and arms are too full, but I think I can do it! Most of the time, the groceries remain intact; however, occasionally, our driveway has swallowed split milk and raw eggs. :)

My mind travels from the weight of carrying too many groceries to the weight of trying to carry too many commitments and responsibilities. Again, I try to carry more than I should and the load becomes too much. On occasion, a responsibility is accidentally dropped, leaving a broken mess. Have you ever carried a load so heavy that things get off balance? Have you ever said yes when you should have said no? Me too!

The Oxford Dictionary defines balance as "to keep something steady so that it does not fall" and "an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady." Balance gives stability and equilibrium to life. It allows us to remain strong even in difficulties. Balance builds boundaries necessary for a beautiful life. 

Balance builds boundaries necessary for a beautiful life. 

So what is a gal to do? I am incorporating a few practical steps to balance an already full load. Here are a few steps helping me.

1. Spending quality time with the ones I love. My family and friends recharge my heart.

2. Reading a good book or two

3. Learning to say no so I can say yes

4. Hiking and walking are my favs

5. Enjoying a good meal!

6. Learning to be still and listen. Psalm 46:10 reads, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!”

How about you? What can you do today to balance a heavy load?

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)

Blessings!