Working full-time and being a wife, mother, daughter, homemaker. Being active in the community, a helping hand in my church, a friend. What does this look like? How does one “balance”?
The truth? I don’t. And I’m not sure anyone does – if so, I would love to meet this person and hear their advice. For me, each and every role I play has a special place in my life and heart – some higher on the priority list, but all priorities none the less.
I spent some time reflecting as I drove home from visiting my father this past week. Being a daughter recently has been a little higher on my priority list, as my father has had health issues in the last couple weeks. It has definitely been a time of reflecting, and a heart check-up on just how fragile life is.
I love my job and the opportunity it allows to be able to meet wonderful people in my community. I have developed lifelong friends and well-known acquaintances, and have been given a front-row seat to watch them “unlock new doors”. Hearing other’s stories and seeing them in action always grants me a greater perspective. Everyone has a unique story, a trial of their own, a victory or a blessing to share, and I am honored to have heard, learned, helped, and walked alongside each of my clients in each of their stories. This is what I go back to when the hours get long, the work continues into the night, and the emergency house issues arise. I wouldn’t trade what I do.
To help balance work and life, however, I continue to try new things. I outsource some aspects, and I have a fantastic right-hand assistant, Amanda who has helped take a great load off my shoulders. All this and more, allows more balance.
Another role of mine, and perhaps one of the highest roles I have here on earth – being a wife and mother. It is a joy of mine to have watched my three children grow up, and to see what they have each accomplished. I now have three wonderful grandchildren who I miss everyday, and an awesome daughter and son-in-law. And I can’t forget my husband, Jeff, who is my biggest supporter and encourager, and my best friend.
Balancing life and my family is pretty easy, as it’s always a joy of mine. However, family can also be the first thing I put on my back-burner as well, knowing they will love me no matter what, right? To help fight this, Jeff and I try to visit our children often – my daughter lives in Mexico doing some amazing mission work with orphans there, my son and daughter-in-law and three grandchildren live in Indiana, and my other daughter and her husband live in Gridley, IL. I also love weekends where the grandchildren come to stay with us – these are truly a joy, and there is nothing better than making memories with them. I am also super passionate on date nights with my husband, as well as getaways. Marriage is no longer popular in today’s society, but I will always fight for ours.
Being involved in my community and church is another role I play, and another role I will not give up. Not only is it my duty as a member of the community and my church, but it’s also so important to me – building relationships and helping those in need. I balance these with life by simply keeping a calendar. When am I free? Where can I help more? When have I been helping so much that I am being drained myself? When I know my limit, I have realized life goes a lot smoother. Not only do I enjoy helping more and being active in events, but I have more energy to do so.
Again, if any of you have solved the great mystery of “balance”, please share! For now, I will continue in my chaotic, perfectly imbalanced life. I’m right where I need to be.
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