In Search of Balance

According to Merriam-Webster, Balance is: the state of having your weight spread equally so that you do not fall: the ability to move or to remain in a position without losing control or falling: a state in which different things occur in equal or proper amounts or have an equal or proper amount of importance. 

Sounds euphoric if you ask me. 

In life, balance for me has always been the goal.  It is a goal that comes to the forefront when I begin to feel overwhelmed with emotions, expectations, school or just life in general. This year has been particularly hard for me on more of a personal note, losing my mother unexpectedly in a tragic accident was really the lowest point, but overall, it has been the most challenging year of my life.  I have found myself searching for balance constantly, desperate for it at times.  There is an importance to knowing what you need in life in order to keep things in the "proper amount of importance".  Once this knowledge is gained, finding balance is within reach. It is difficult to know what adds stress to your life, what is most important to you and what makes you happy.  Then prioritize.  Learning to say "no" is probably the dirty little secret in finding balance (for me anyway).  Knowing that I don't need to do everything, and I can't control everything.  It is essential for me to focus on what is important to me and to harness my attention on what I am truly passionate about.  

As educators, I feel that we live two lives.  Our school life with our "school family" and our private life.  To find balance with both is a healthily optimistic point of view.   Often they mimic one another. At school, we find ourselves trying to do it all.  We want to do what's best for our students, yet find ourselves trying to juggle other initiatives competing with those efforts.  One message or mantra that I find myself reflecting on more often than not, is to not worry about things that are out of my control.  It only adds unnecessary stress and does not help the ultimate goal of balance.  In my quest for balance at school, I remain focused on what's best for students, how I can best relate to them and keep class FUN and engaging.  I also need to focus on my passion for teaching and continue to push myself to be the best I can be.   I am a work in progress and planning on staying focused on balance for the remainder of the year.