Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

 

I was talking to a friend the other day and she says, “I’ve decided that you can’t have everything.” We were talking about how we have these things we are working on. Creating a weekly/monthly menu for the family. Getting in a weekly date night. Adhering to a bedtime routine for the kids. Meal prepping for ourselves. Sticking to a consistent workout schedule. Washing our face every night. Doing our laundry each day.

She said right around the time when she feels like her health and fitness are on point, one of her kids gets sick or her workload doubles. Then she has to change gears and spend more time on other areas. Three weeks go by, and she notices that she’s up a few pounds. This is when she announces that we just can’t have it all. She’s not mad about it, more resolute.

It’s more of a realization that it is what it is, and it’s just something we need to accept. Stop fighting it and for sure stop beating yourself up about it. Once you understand that this is simply the way the world works, your life will be much more enjoyable. A season for everything, as they say.

I came to a similar epiphany a few years ago. I’m sure I was inspired by a TedTalk, but I can’t specifically recall where I heard this. The person compared trying to balance all these things to a symphony. Just as the conductor needs the horns to be louder and wind instruments to pull back, such is life. All the instruments are still needed for the song to be its best. However, there are certain times in our life when different elements get to stand out and have their solo. Even though the percussion might be soft, it’s still there and still needed.

I enjoyed this analogy better than the juggler who drops the ball. Things happen in my life all the time that seem to throw me off course. I didn’t get my workout in, because I chose to sleep in due to the fact that my kid kept me up all night.

I could clock that as a failure. I could beat myself up because I should have just sucked it up, woke up early and got the workout in. I could have survived the day low on sleep. I could have made it work. Or I could realize that my child was sick and needed me, and at that moment, being a mom is taking center stage right now. I could also realize that a tired April does not make for a good mom, employee or friend.

This current situation that we are all in has thrown us all off a bit. Maybe you’re watching more TV than you want to, but you’ve really upped your home-cooked meals. Maybe your workouts have slid, but you’re finally spending quality time with your kids like you’ve wanted to do. I’m not sure what part of the symphony I’m currently in. Is this the energetic dance, the softer more lyrical movement or perhaps the intermission? Only time will tell. It truly doesn’t matter as long as I can keep a perspective to enjoy the performance.

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams.