Juggling . . . and Focusing?
I took my daughter
to see the Peking Acrobats the other night. As I watched the various
acts, I began to think of the acrobats as a metaphor of my life. Of
women's lives in general, particularly those of us who are striving to
reach specific goals. What amazed me is that most of the acrobats did
an incredible job of juggling various tasks, all while maintaining
total focus. If they made a mistake, or dropped a ball, they picked it
up and tried again. The contortionists really caught my attention. A
woman moved her body in ways that are far from normal, rolling around
on a pedestal, all while balancing flaming candleabras (sp?) in her
mouth, on her chin, in her hands, on her feet. The entire time she had
all these things going, her eyes stayed on the flaming candles balanced
on her face. Her eyes stayed on the most important piece of the puzzle,
all while balancing the lesser pieces. While watching her in awe, it
dawned on me. That is my life - I have to keep my focus on the goal I
am striving to achieve (which for me is to be a successful writer), all
while balancing everything else that is important to the big picture
(my full-time job that pays the bills, helping my daughter with her
homework, spending quality time with my husband and daughter, taking
care of our home, etc.). I cannot let any of those tasks get away from
me, but if I want to achieve my main objective, I must keep focused on
it.
This holds true for any woman. We are the ones that keep the family going (don't give me any feminist stuff here - it's just the way it is). God help my family if anything ever happens to me! :o) But, the whole balancing act is tricky for women. We are told from the time we are young that anything is possible, we can be anyone, we can do anything. But can we really? There has to be some give. I would love to be a Writer - full-time. But that isn't possible right now. My daughter is 10, and still needs my attention and help. And she needs food on the table, and a roof over her head. If it were just me, I could live differently. Each one of the contortionist's appendages could easily be a metaphor for my various roles. I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an employee, a co-worker, a writer, a friend, and every one of those roles deserves and requires attention in order to keep the flame burning brightly.
So, what is my advice? Think of a contortionist balancing flaming candles. This will require focus, concentration and practice on your part, but I have confidence in you. Have confidence in yourself. Keep your eye on the goal you want to achieve, but do not forget about the candles - your other roles, your other responsibilities - you are balancing on your hands and feet. Keep them level and pay attention to them. When you balance everything while keeping your focus on the goal you are striving to reach, the result will be a picture of grace and beauty that will amaze and astound those who view your life from the outside.
Elle
This holds true for any woman. We are the ones that keep the family going (don't give me any feminist stuff here - it's just the way it is). God help my family if anything ever happens to me! :o) But, the whole balancing act is tricky for women. We are told from the time we are young that anything is possible, we can be anyone, we can do anything. But can we really? There has to be some give. I would love to be a Writer - full-time. But that isn't possible right now. My daughter is 10, and still needs my attention and help. And she needs food on the table, and a roof over her head. If it were just me, I could live differently. Each one of the contortionist's appendages could easily be a metaphor for my various roles. I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an employee, a co-worker, a writer, a friend, and every one of those roles deserves and requires attention in order to keep the flame burning brightly.
So, what is my advice? Think of a contortionist balancing flaming candles. This will require focus, concentration and practice on your part, but I have confidence in you. Have confidence in yourself. Keep your eye on the goal you want to achieve, but do not forget about the candles - your other roles, your other responsibilities - you are balancing on your hands and feet. Keep them level and pay attention to them. When you balance everything while keeping your focus on the goal you are striving to reach, the result will be a picture of grace and beauty that will amaze and astound those who view your life from the outside.
Elle
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