Juggling

Dear Kids,

I have had quite a few friends either mention this frustration or talk with me about it lately. Holidays ALWAYS bring these thoughts and feelings on because of extra stuff that needs to be done. The frustration is this:

How do you get everything done? Please tell me how you stay organized, calm, and remain "in balance"!

Here is the truth: I don't. And I don't believe anyone does.

Here is the challenge: Being able to embrace "juggling" life and not be hard on yourself when life tends to be crazy.

I had a great chance to be mentored by Elder Bednar about this very thing a while ago. He is the most organized and accomplished man I have personally ever met and known. Someone asked him in a group once how he was able to "balance" everything so perfectly. He LAUGHED OUT LOUD.

He looked at that person and just said, "There is no such thing as balancing everything perfectly. You have to get rid of that false expectation. It does not exist. Think of life like juggling. You are throwing balls in the air and catching them over and over again. What I have found that works for me is to focus on catching the ball that is dropping, give my energy to what that is and then when it is on the up swing and in the air again I let it go and leave it alone. Then focus on the next ball that is dropping...

"Just remember that your relationship with the Lord is NEVER one of those balls that you are juggling. Your relationship with the Lord is your hands."

I think about this counsel often when I experience days that are unbalanced, stressful, hard, and pushing me to my limits. Have I truly taken the time to have a strong relationship with my Father? Most of the time I find, for me anyway, when I am going crazy, that it is my hands that need the work. Once they are strong, then I know exactly how to handle juggling the balls and where to focus first.

You are all great examples to me of keeping my soul alive. You live in your soul everyday, so when I stop and take a breath of your perfect spirits, then I remember how to have a true relationship with God. We are all children in His eyes and He is always ready to hug and love us when our days are crazy.

I love you,

Your Mom