There never seems to be enough weeks in a day. A friend’s blog post, Over-stimulated, cause me to reflect on the ever constant competition for our time. She shared her happiness of being a mom, wife and young woman. Her expression was not unusual at the busyness of activity and the ability to absorb or savor each second. We are blessed to watch this energetic family grow.

Scarcity is an economic term which seems to apply here. Less availability translates into greater value. But would it be so wonderful to live with Willy Wonka at the Chocolate Factory where there is, “So much time and so little to do?” Would living in an abundance of time cause us to disregard its value as we often lose sight of the significance of air or water?

As parents, and even as not, there is an endless “bucket list” of joys the world has to offer. If we live here it would be fun to be there. When we are experiencing this, our thoughts wander off to missing that. As we tire we seek to relax yet soon enough we are in want of new things to go and to do. Spending time with family and friends we long for moments alone.

Satisfaction is supposedly found in balance. A balanced diet, balanced schedule, balanced family, balanced budget and balanced career; in effect we are seeking a balanced life. Have you arrived? Take a moment and ponder the concept of balance in any aspect of your life. What does that look like to you? Will that appear healthy to me? We may disagree.

Have you ever watched funambulism (rope walking)? Some of the performers use tools for balance, others none; some are on tight rope and others on slack rope. The wire may be a few feet off the ground to hundreds of yards from the surface. What they all have in common is a degree of risk at a complete loss of equilibrium, a fall. I say complete loss as there are moments of temporary instability. Remaining on the wire regardless of a waver or wobble is success.

Our children and grandchildren will grow up and away. Parents age and pass to us the responsibility of their legacy. Our intimate relationships with our mates are bound by shared endeavors, tragedy, sacrifice and reminiscences. Friends come and go. Work is always existent.  What are we to do?

Life is full of trade-offs. Prioritize as we may, and we should, there will always be opportunity loss. We will miss out on something with someone which would have provided delight and memories. All we can do is to strive to choose well, be where we are, and find contentment in the encounters we are given. It reminds me of a poem attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt by many web sources.

Today is a gift. That’s why they call it the present.

Many people will walk in and out of your life,
but only true friends leave footprints in your heart.
To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.
Anger is only one letter short of danger.
If someone betrays you once, it is his fault;
if he betrays you twice, it is your fault.
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events;
small minds discuss people. He who loses money, loses much;
he who loses a friend, loses much more; he who loses faith, loses all.
Beautiful young people are accidents of nature,
but beautiful old people are works of art.
Learn from the mistakes of others.
You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.
Friends, you and me. . . you brought another friend. . .
and then there were three. . .
we started our group. . .
our circle of friends. . .
and like that circle. . .
there is no beginning or end. . .
yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.

Today is a gift.
That is why they call it the present.

-Eleanor Roosevelt

What suggestions do you have to juggling time and relational resources?

ST2

Sources:

http://lifeuncontainable.blogspot.com/2012/05/over-stimulated.html (accessed May 13, 2012)

http://thenierenblog.typepad.com/thenierenblog/2007/09/today-is-a-gift.html (accessed May 13, 2012)

Related articles

• Elegant Eleanor (momentumofjoy.com)
• Be Present (michaelhyatt.com) added after initial post