Thursday, July 9, 2009

Passion & balance

Do you ever feel like there is so much to learn and not enough time in a day to learn it? That's what I feel these days. I am pretty much obsessed with the world of blogging. I want to know it all right now. I also know that this is impossible. I would make myself and my family crazy if I tried. Yet, I still find myself on the computer for hours a day. I have been neglecting my family to some extent, my home is definitely feeling the effects.

So what do I do from here? How do I continue following my passion and transform my home into a peaceful haven for all those who live here? Can I do both at once? Is this blog entry going to just be questions?

The answer is simple. Balance. Simple, but not easy. Balance has never come easy for me. I'm an all or nothing kind of gal. I'm either all in or all out.

I have noticed something these last few days. I have seen that my following something with all of my spirit has opened up my heart and mind to things that I used to be blocked about. I have been noticing that I get truly joyful when I think about how my house could be the haven that I dream about. In the past, I would usually feel overwhelmed by the notion of decluttering and simplifying my life.

Today, I am excited about the possibility. I recently went away on an overnight trip on my own. I stayed at a wonderful bed & breakfast out in the woods of WI. It was so peaceful, so clean, so simple. That is what I want for my home. I have always wanted that. I truly believe that this passion I have for blogging has opened up a door to my life that I didn't think would ever open. That door is the entrance to Joy.

What am I saying here? I am saying that to follow something I am passionate about will help me to see other things that I can be passionate about. I don't have to be a one passion kind of person. Life is passionate. All of it.

So from what I have experienced, it seems that in order for me to find balance, I first needed to put all of my energy and passion into one something. Yes, it meant that my home suffered. Yes, it meant that my kids and my husband had to endure some interesting dinners. Actually most days they have fended for themselves. The kids loved it, husband not so much.

I see how big my life can be. I see that my life can be big and simple at the same time. I see that to balance my time between all that sparks my passion is actually quite fun. I'm excited at where my journey is taking me.

Do you have something that you are passionate about that seems to take up your life? Please share.

Have you mastered the art of balance? Please share.


I'm off to make an actual dinner for my family. My honey will be so happy. Kids, not so much.

Just my thoughts.

4 comments:

Stacey said...

I get EVERYTHING you're talking about. For me it can be reading or playing the piano. But there's a little trick I employ when I feel as though I'm being neglectful. I reward myself with my passion. Let's say cleaning the bathroom is something that MUST be done, and soon (you know when you let it get to its absolute worst?). Anyway, I get to it, maybe just getting half of it done. Then I reward myself by spending time playing the piano for awhile. I may not get a whole lot done that day, but at least it was something.

Jill said...

I like the idea of rewarding with your passion. I may have to try that myself. And my bathroom is definitely at a 'MUST be done right now' level. LOL

Janice Lynne Lundy said...

Hi there,
What a lovely post! So glad to hear you got to get away by yourself. Retreats are so important to our well-being.

Personally, I let go of the notion of balance years ago. Just by the nature of the concept itself, you can't really be in balance. We struggle to be in balance and that always tips the scales. We are either in or out of balance. When you think about a teeter-totter for example, it is so rare if it really is even, in balance.

So I opt for the notion of harmony instead. Inner harmony. Where I move in and out of what nurtures me, satisfies me, serves others and how those all ebb and flow together. I rise and dip--and float a lot more!--with living into harmony. Does that make sense?

Jill said...

Jan,
I love, love the notion of inner harmony rather than balance. Ebbing and flowing truly is more achievable than perfect balance. Thank you for this insight. Balance out, Inner Harmony in. Love it.