“Balance” is one of my mantra words–trying to achieve some state of peace around being a single mom of three, running a household, building a business, and managing all the other aspects of my life is a rather unglamorous reality that has prompted me to read everything I can about the subject of “balance.” Recently I read a little snippet, however, that said that true balance was neither possible or desirable–true balance would be a state of standstill, zero, no movement at all. Now, I cannot remember where I read this little haunting statement (maybe a Tarot card?) but it has got me to pondering what exactly I’m working for when I talk about “balance” in my home-based business?
Maybe balance just means that I am not spending too much time, energy, stress, and resources in any one area of my life. The truth is, I never really feel like I am achieving balance, the mantra usually just reminds me that things are acutely “out of balance.” A long week of work obligations and teenager problems reminds me that I really need an evening out with a friend, a hot bath, and to take in a movie; while spending too much time reading and watching movies in my pajamas makes me feel guilty and spurs me into spending more time on my business. Maybe it really is NOT about balance, but more about “equal opportunity” for all the tugs and pushes that make up my life as it is.
When it comes to my work–it is generally quite out of balance. I get on a role and spend a lot of time working on one project, while another suffers and then there is a switch and I play catch-up with the neglected work. Maybe in the long run, it all comes out looking a bit balanced, but I am starting to wonder if balance-in-process is really possible at all?
Also: Person First, Parent Second