Balance

In keeping with the theme of the turn of a new year we all get busy setting personal goals for the upcoming year. Some are made in the height of frustration of some slacks that have shrunk mysteriously or a real sense that things need to be better.

We all tend to sharpen our focus on things that matter and try to be better people! But along the way “life happens” and a barrel load of surprises and imperfections slip in the back door. Then mission drift hits and we find in the rat race one more time.

I do believe we become better people when a sense of balance comes into our lives. I like Apostles Paul’s focus when he penned these words…….

Philip. 3:14 (KJV)
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

We all have a mark (goal) set from a lofty or high call that has a prize or reward attached the successors. I have to believe this goal supersedes the many goals we set that seem to fail very soon after we come out of the gate.

I am not slamming all of our attempts to look better, have a workable budget, quitting vices, or just being nicer. But don’t forget the highest goal in life (being Christ-like) was set along time ago and we cannot afford mission drift from that!

This year I hope myself, family and friends press forward to the prize Paul stated in Philippians! Always strive for balance in life but know the great prize is accepting God’s goal for our life is a bit higher and rewarding.

What will you be pressing for this year?

Ok, I had to steal a line used often by my friend Phil(poppy "P") when sending a forward via email. I found an article I enjoyed and I cut it up in bite size pieces for you busy folk! I am just a conduit!

Stress, frustration, exhaustion, and guilt are the symptoms of a life out of balance. You'll feel them if your work eclipses your relationships. You want to be successful at everything in your life, but too often, you run out of time and energy trying to do it all.
The key is realizing that life isn't a sprint -- it's a marathon. If you balance your life at the right steady pace, you can achieve long-term fulfillment.
Here's how you can balance your life well:
Pursue endurance. Stop rushing through life as if it were a sprint instead of a marathon. Don't burn yourself out.

Get rid of the "hazies." Don't let hazy thinking cause you to lose sight of your long-term goals. Think and pray about what's most important, and establish priorities.

Get rid of the "lazies." Ask God to help you develop the self-discipline you need to bring your life into the right balance. Realize that you will have to make some sacrifices to achieve a healthy balance in your life; be willing to do so.

Get rid of the "crazies." Don't allow your life to run out of control. Learn to say "no" or "not right now" to requests for your time and energy that don't reflect your current priorities.

Stay on track. Remember that balancing your life isn't just a one-time event; it's a process that needs your constant attention.

Adapted from On the Fly Guide to Balancing Work and Life, copyright 2006 by Bill Butterworth. Published by WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House, Inc., Colorado Springs, Co.,

Have a great day……..did I mention ROLL TIDE!