Comments on: Maybe There is No Such Thing as Balance

By: Sweet Stuff - A round up of "simple living" posts | FIMBY

Sweet Stuff - A round up of "simple living" posts | FIMBY — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:25:49 +0000

[...] finally, maybe there is no such thing as balance at Nourishing Days. Wow, good stuff. Shannon talks about shifting our focus to priorities instead [...]

By: Shannon

Shannon — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:06:07 +0000

Susan – I think you stated my point better than I . I find that if I am focused on being a helpmeet first then if the Lord wills there will be some time for extras, and if not I can find contentment in my work.

Work in progress… isn’t that the truth? That was the name of my very first blog way back when and it is so applicable.

~Shannon~

By: Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship

Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 07:02:20 +0000

Your easy style is fast becoming one of my favorites. Thank you for this – it’s a challenge to simplify and not try to DO it all. Priorities are difficult when one doesn’t always want to do what is important, but what is fun (like Internet time!).

By: Susan Sifford

Susan Sifford — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:22:13 +0000

Shannon,

I completely agree with your summation in that if we are doing what God has commanded us to do, everything else will fall into place. And even that is not a cookie-cutter statement. I have learned that I cannot compare myself with anybody else or I will either feel very inadequate or prideful. As a help meet, my husband’s needs come first, whatever that entails at any given time, then my responsibilities as a wife, keeper of our home and farm, and then anything above that is gravy. There is no time whatsoever for crafts, etc. in the summertime because of the harvest but usually more time for those things in the winter. But the peace that comes along with that is priceless. The whole “process driven life” really makes sense to me now. Another woman may be more driven or have ample time for everything but that is not my temperament or how God has made me specifically and I need to be okay with that. I am still such a work in progress and appreciate you sharing your experiences as well.

Susan

By: Grace

Grace — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:32:46 +0000

I hear you are a local mama- my midwife has linked to your “food roots” posts and I’ve been reading your blog ever since. I really appreciate your posts. I have been thinking about this very thing- which is what inspired me to comment. I’ve heard all sorts of things about balance. I often hear it coming out of my mouth. However, I find that in my actual life, the balance I seek only comes when I resolve to be fully present in the task at hand- to rise to the challenge of each responsibility and to just love my life as it is and do what needs doing.

I’ve been thinking about the needs of the natural world, mostly, in these terms. I often hear that we need to “work towards” a sustainable alternative, but in reading about the great coral reef dying this morning, reading about the agricultural business “taking steps” to reduce the pesticide runoffs that are harming the great reef, it just got me thinking… We know exactly what we need to do to be healthy in our lives. I would argue, we know exactly what the right thing to do is. The question is in our priorities and whether or not we actually do it. It only takes doing. And so I really like what you had to say-

“…if my priorities line up with the responsibilities given me then why wouldn’t the rest fall into place?”

No balancing required.

By: Hope

Hope — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:16:50 +0000

Good stuff!

By: Organic & Thrifty

Organic & Thrifty — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:02:31 +0000

Shannon,

I love this post and it rings so true for me, and I too have been pondering these very things this week!

I’ve found peace with the notion that everything I do at home should be for the benefit of my husband and children (to the Glory of God) and when I “do not eat the bread of idleness” (read: internet/TV during the day) I tend to be blessed with TIME to do the things I enjoy without compromising my duties.

It’s funny how when I let go of all the “worldly” temptations (including trying my utmost to make my blog successful) and simply focus on glorifying God by being a good steward of what he’s given me, I feel that balance just sort of comes naturally.

Great post!

By: Nichole

Nichole — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:35:57 +0000

Wonderful post! Many days I feel like I have so many ideas running throught my head that I just have to focus on the basics-preparing meals, helping my family throughout the day, taking care of the house, etc., which means I may have little time for certain hobbies-crafting and so forth. Yet I want to make sure that in all that I do I honor the Lord because it is only through Him and His grace that I can manage daily life.

By: Staci

Staci — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:27:43 +0000

I have been musing about similar things lately. If my most important job as a mother is to point my kids to Christ, why on earth am I spending my days trying to “keep them busy”? These years are so precious, and they don’t last long enough trying fit EVERYTHING onto the balance. Sometimes, to make it balance, you have to take things off…

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:48:46 +0000

Wow…I think I needed to hear this today. I’ve really been struggling with this exact topic in my life right now. I am a stay at home mom with two kids under the age of 3. I also happen to have hobbies that include sewing, knitting, reading, blogging, gardening, etc. And when I don’t get to do enough of my hobbies because naps didn’t coincide or whatever, I get grouchy about it. I need to strive for excellence in the job I’ve been blessed with (wife, mother, homemaker) and ask God to help me with the contentment aspect!