The Balancing Juggler

In conversation yesterday someone spoke about ‘life’s juggling balance’. I imagined the circus act… the high wire artist who’s also a skilled juggler… two skills required simultaneously – If both are completed successfully it’s an impressive achievement; if one goes the whole act fails…

Holding a balanced opinion, keeping balanced emotionally or psychologically is difficult; juggling life’s activities, relationships and responsibilities is never straightforward. Doing both simultaneously is life’s constant challenge.

I encountered three examples of the balancing juggler yesterday…

Loving Discipline: I was chatting to a young couple about their teenage daughter. Life isn’t straightforward for them in their parenting; their daughter doesn’t always find life easy either. Juggling school, friendships, family, opinions, health concerns in the context of the highwire that requires them balancing love and discipline is constantly challenging.

I reflected on years as a teacher, parent, church leader… Principles and theories are easy; their daily outworking is another matter.   

Restful Activity: Yesterday was busy… doing stuff, chatting, listening to stories and problems, sharing jokes and anxieties. One situation after another… all good ordinary positive stuff. I reached the point where I was peopled-out. I needed to stop, pause, pray, take time out.

When I first started teaching, I was young, physically fit, keen and enthusiastic. Learning to pace myself was an important but difficult lesson. Over the years the activities and demands that I juggle have changed; the challenge to balance activity and rest remains the same.

Human Spirituality: Reflecting on what it means for me to live as ‘a Christian’… Sometimes I’ve emphasised church-based activity – youth work, music, finances; sometimes it’s been about living in a Christian way in the community – the theatre, my men’s shed, the local pub; sometimes it’s involved what I believe or how I worship… human, spiritual, juggling and balancing.

Jesus’ ‘greatest commandment’ was to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself. Perhaps starting to get that right is the way to becoming a balancing juggler.