Finding Balance

'Finding balance' was the theme at church last week and it really made me think about all the things in life where finding balance is necessary and sometimes overlooked. Father Bob talked about finding balance with everything - alcohol, drugs, friends, family, sports, work, and the list goes on and on. It was very moving to think about how I can apply this theory to my life (and my blog). We all have excuses in life, but finding the balance eliminates the need for excuses.
Of course, the first thing I think of is finding the balance between running and schedules. That has been a hard thing for me to tackle this year. 5 miles a week isn't cutting it and every time I step on the treadmill it feels like I am running with a hangover. Not good. I am also struggling to find the balance between running and weight training/pilates. I have not been totally lazy - I have been doing either runs or weights everyweek night, but it seems like I am so sore from lifting that I can't run for a few days. I need to back off the heavy weights so I can still reach my goals to be healthy.
Secondly, I need to find the balance with church. I always feel better when I go to church and not being able to find the time to go for 1 hour on Sundays is a lame excuse. Shame on me. No one needs that much sleep. I can't even say I was too tired or sore from doing a long run, because I have already admitted that isn't happening. Going to church helps me stay positive and see life more clearly, so that has become priority #1.
Third, everyone can stand to find the balance in attitudes. It seems like this year has brought all the negativity out in people and I am completely frustrated by this. Why can't people be grateful and happy that they have something good in their lives, instead of always complaining that life is such an inconvenience? Life could be so much worse. I am working hard on keeping my mouth shut and being positive to counteract the haters.
Last but not least, finding the balance between family & friends. It is always difficult to carve out bits of time so that everyone gets to see each other, but it is worth it, no questions asked. Keith and I lost a wonderful friend this past fall and we have done a lot of talking about making more time for those people whom we love. We need to get to Chicago to spend time with the nieces and nephews more - they are growing so fast and time goes too fast.
So, now starts the quest for finding balance. YEAH!