Juggling
Posted by Aarti on January 28th, 2013 . Filed under: Uncategorized .
I’ve never been a good juggler… both literally, and metaphorically.
In secondary school, our drama teacher Mr. Jones spent a couple of lessons teaching us how to juggle. I’m still unclear what the dramatic purpose of this was, but I’m sure it had something to do with separating our minds from our bodies from a little while, teaching our bodies a new skill. He’d put on “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel, which he said was the perfect tempo to which to juggle.
But try as I could, the balls would never fly in those perfect orbits jugglers manage… those perfectly symmetrical ovals, ringing around each student like Saturn’s rings. Mine would wiggle through the air, and land hopelessly on the floor, gleefully bouncing away from me.
I still can’t juggle.
And now that I have a few things to juggle, metaphorically, I am finding it hard to juggle them all. Cookbook, TV, blog, husband, friends, family, God, me… Oh boy.
I don’t mean to complain. I am so grateful for all the things I have on my plate. And I know that so many of you juggle even more, or even more important things than I do. Normally, I just suck it up and handle it. But today I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.
How do you handle being overwhelmed?
-x-
aarti
January 28th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
I hear you – loud and clear! (Great photo btw!) You can only do what you can do so take it one thing at a time. There’s just no other way. From this end you’re doing a bang up job. The show on the Cooking Channel, Taste in Translation, is great! I know that’s just one thing you do but it’s what I love – and I read your blog here and your stuff on FB.
You’re doing okay kiddo
Just be happy – that’s the most important thing!
Much love!
January 28th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
You simply can do your best. People who love you will understand. When you get the brass ring, you run with it! And your life is always in flux. So nothing will stay the same. Eventually, you’ll focus on just the things that make you happiest and weed out what doesn’t to make way for them. Love the new show. This week’s was my favorite.
January 28th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
hmmm..just occurred to me. This juggling thing. Did you watch “What Not to Wear” this week?
January 28th, 2013 at 6:08 pm
I sleep. I sleeeeeeeep. Then I eat a pile of carbohydrates. That’s totally a healthy way to deal with stress, right?
January 28th, 2013 at 6:20 pm
I’m feeling that way too right now, a little overwhelmed, and unfortunately it is a feeling I have quite often. I regularly describe my life as “a goat rodeo” and today has been one of those days. First, I go grab the chocolate! Then I sit down with the divide and conquer attitude and go into a sort of “survival” mode. I tend to remove any and all emotion from each looming task, or situation, and go to work on them one at a time!
Thanks for the blog!
January 29th, 2013 at 4:44 am
I think you’ve just related to the majority of the population. I find that when I put God first in the line up of “what do I have to do today” it provides me that central focus on Him and I’m reminded that in everything I do and say I want to be sure it brings Him the honor and glory. When the focus is on Him, everything else just seems to slow down and fall right into place…even though it really hasn’t slowed down, it just appears that way. I agree with one of the other comments made here, that whatever it is you are doing, keep it up, because you’re doing a great job juggling all that you have going on…even it if it just appears that way to those of us on the outside. You are in my prayers.
January 29th, 2013 at 7:31 am
Yes – I think we all feel that way at times. Put God first when you get up in the morning – spend time with him before you check any electronic media or turn on the tv/radio/etc. He deserves it and you will be better for it!
I recall Martin Luther (I think) said if I am so busy today, then I must pray for 2 hours rather than one!
January 29th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
I watch F.R.I.E.N.D.S…. Yes, I know. It’s not particularly productive. But it brings back lovely memories and suddenly I feel I can handle things. I guess it’s my security blanket (with a catchy theme song).
January 29th, 2013 at 6:18 pm
I step back and make time for myself. I cook or I get to my corner and read. It tends to ground me.
January 29th, 2013 at 7:50 pm
I try to take a step back and remind myself of things I actually have accomplished – I make a list of them or write myself an email so I have physical proof that hey, I’ve DONE stuff!
Then I try to give myself a break on just one of the myriad of tasks I have to accomplish. And I set up a reward system for the things I do manage: if I get all my students’ papers graded, I get to watch a show I really like. If I update my blog on time, I get to buy a special dessert item when I next grocery shop. And so on. It helps.
January 30th, 2013 at 5:15 am
That overwhelmed feeling is terrible. For me it comes at the intersection of what I think I should do to be perfect and what I can do realistically. On those days, I give myself permission to take a small break-maybe only 10 minutes. During this time, I write a list of everything I need to do and number this list as to what I think I need to do first. My stress level drops, I can think clearly again, and I get the most important things done. Good luck and remember to take care of yourself in the same way you would a loved one going through something similar.
January 30th, 2013 at 6:39 am
I feel you right now. I am also juggling many things and I have really dove into God’s word this week even more than normal, and He (as always) has not let me down. I relate to you and know you will do all things well because He will never give you anything more thatn you can handle. I have followed you since The Next Food Network Star, I am half Indian and it was nice to see someone who has similarities to me.
February 2nd, 2013 at 11:38 am
Ooh, you listed yourself last. Not good.