Seeking True Balance
Everything in its place is balance.
Fr. Mike Schmitz
Growing up, it was common to have numerous commitments. On top of school, I was active in the parish community and ministry, engaged in extracurricular activities, and pursued various hobbies. As an adult, I retained the same tendencies, being involved in many things alongside work and my vocation as a wife. While I may have had enough speed and stamina to transition from one activity to the next in my high school and college days, now, not so much, let alone trying to achieve balance through my schedule.
In the past, I was highly efficient when it came to maximizing my time and accomplishing many things quickly. However, over time, I ended up spreading myself too thin. A wise person once shared with me that if you commit to too many things, something will most likely suffer. In "The One Thing," Gary Keller writes, “Extraordinary results require focused attention and time. Time on one thing means time away from another. This makes balance impossible.”
In our dynamic and complex life, attaining balance across all areas is unrealistic. When we look at the different categories of life - spiritual, marriage and family, friends and community, health and fitness, physical environment, career and finance, and fun and recreation - although all are important, it is impossible to manage all at the same time, give equal focus to each, and be successful at it. If it is already overwhelming to look at our long list of required daily to-do’s, how is it possible to find true balance?
In a blog post from The Prodigal Father, Fr. Michael Denk shares that the key to maintaining physical balance while wakeboarding and waterskiing is to keep a low center of gravity rather than a high center of gravity where it is easiest to lose balance. When we are low, it is less likely for us to get knocked down easily. Fr. Michael says, “The same concept is true with spiritual life. We can keep our spiritual center of gravity low as well, and if we do, it’s really easier to maintain our balance. It’s a lot more difficult for the enemy or people to knock us over if we keep our spiritual center of gravity low, and that’s humility.”
True balance is, therefore, rooted in humility. The Catechism’s definition of humility is “the virtue by which a Christian acknowledges that God is the author of all good. Humility avoids inordinate ambition or pride and provides the foundation for turning to God in prayer.” The virtue of humility comes from abiding in Christ and being centered in Him and focuses on God’s will for us rather than our earthly ambitions.
Therefore, humility requires us to make prudent choices about our priorities. It calls us to set holy priorities within the context of our state of life and His purpose in us. That means we may need to humbly respond “No” to things that allow us to give a bigger and better “Yes” to God. Fr. Mike Schmitz shared, “Everything in its place is balance.” Humility is knowing our place in relationship to God and allowing Him to put everything in its place.
In conclusion, the pursuit of balance is not a mere balancing act but a journey grounded in humility and a conscious alignment with God. It prompts us to reflect on the right order in which we are to live, prioritizing God above all else and allowing His Holy Spirit to flow into the work we do. As we navigate the complexities of life, let our spiritual center of gravity remain low, allowing us to withstand the challenges and maintain balance with grace.
A Simple Strategy:
Abide in Christ: He is the foundation for a well-balanced life.
Build Your Personal Rhythm: There is order in rhythm. Set a daily routine that works for you and commit to prayer, especially when it is busy.
Partner Your Prayer and Work: Invite God as your partner in everything you do.
Learn from Others: Look to our Mother Mary and the saints to learn how to live virtuously.
Leverage Talents: When we are operating in how God made us, we are responding in humility. Seek support from those who have talents different from yours.
Identify Your Personal Vocation: Take time to ask God where He calls you to use your time, talent and treasure. Write down what He tells you.
Setting Boundaries: Consciously set your priorities and know your limitations.
Embrace Seasons: Recognize that different phases of life may require varying degrees of attention to specific areas. Embrace the ebb and flow, adjusting your focus as needed.
