Balance; oh that’s a tricky word. Many of us would like to think we strive for balance, but do we really?
How much time do we spend each day on work? How much time each day with family? What about time alone, or with the spouse? Should we count the chores like breakfast dishes, laundry, and mowing the lawn as work?
It exhausts me just trying to sort through the should, could, and must parts of life. I often long for rest.

Plato said, “Excess generally causes reaction, and produces a change in the opposite direction, whether it be in the season, or in individuals, or in governments.”

I like that. I’ve noticed that too much Nyquil keeps me awake, that too much vacation makes me tired, and that too much homework makes children dull.

Our families are in crisis. This is not a political statement so don’t make it one. This is a statement of life, of health, and of beauty. Balance is essential. Not as one more to do, but as in less stress-induced cancer, less cutting, binge/purging, and suicides. No matter if we are 5 or 95 we all need work, play, healthy food, shelter, and relationships. As school begins and we start sports, academic bowls, theater practice, and volunteer work- let’s first breathe.

Mindfulness is not a new age word for kale only eaters. Mindfulness means to be consciously aware. Are we? Are we consciously aware of how much time we spend flipping channels, scrolling through FB, or even how many activities our children are engaged in after school?

It is healthy to be an active chooser and scheduler. We can choose to pack a quick and healthy lunch. We can choose to carpool. We can choose to schedule down time, ask for forgiveness and to forgive. We can choose to shut the TV off, get a decent amount of sleep, and share the household chores.

Readers, I challenge you to be mindful of balance. We are not feathers that float on the gentle or tumultuous winds of life. We are lovely humans with choices about family, schedules, what we put in our bodies, and who can help us. Embrace and live with purpose.