Friday, September 10, 2010

Perspective

A few weeks ago, someone emailed me a portion of a speech attributed to Brian Dyson, CEO of Coca Cola. It serves as a reminder to us all of where our priorities really need to be:

“Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them – work, family, health, friends and spirit … and you’re keeping all of these in the air.
You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for Balance in your life.”

While it’s certainly not revolutionary news or anything we don’t all truly know in our hearts, for me at this time it struck a chord. This is because for the past few years, I have been so focused on my career and creative endeavours, that I have given them way too much importance. The kids, of course, have always come first, but I would have to say that everything else has placed after work on my priority list – to my detriment. But that is changing.

You may have noticed that I’ve been a little scarce over the past few weeks… and that trend is going to continue for the next little while. Right now, my main focus has to be my family, my health and our general wellbeing. Everything else is really going to have to take a back seat.

But blogging is too much fun for me to just give up; I would miss you all far too much! So I will be around… just not quite so regularly as before.

11 comments:

Brian Miller said...

thansk for checking in and the words you shared are so true...sounds like you have your priorities in order and wish you the best in each of them...

Captain Shagrat said...

Sound words, I think we all do know in our hearts but it does help to remind ourselves sometimes of the important stuff in life. Life can get messy and clog up your thinking. I always feel uplifted when I come to your blog and read your messages so I'm glad you want to continue blogging

Felicitas said...

Thanks, Brian & Shagrat. Living a balanced life is incredibly important yet difficult to achieve - and more so for some than others, I think. I have traded my health over the past year for more time spent at work and on this blog... and I've paid for it. So no more.

Blessings : )

Maude Lynn said...

There's only so much a person can do. Gotta make sure it's the stuff that matters.

Nevine Sultan said...

This is an important bit of wisdom, Felicitas. I know only too well the challenge of trying to balance real life with the pleasures that we wish to enjoy. I think each one of us knows just what we need to do... and this always comes before what we want to do. As far as I'm concerned, family does always come first. Jobs come and go, and we are resilient when it comes to changing work settings and such. But if our absence should damage a family member, we can never live with the guilt... or the consequences.

Good luck with everything you're doing, Felicitas. Just don't forget to relax, too, every once in a while.

Nevine

Monkey Man said...

So sorry for the late response. I hope this isn't a serious health problem. If it is and there is anything you need, please don't hesitate to reach out. I love the quote.

Jingle said...

hope you well.

Dulçe ♥ said...

Well... whatever your reasons we are going to be here, when you get back...
This post has reached as far as my own life, i mean i can relate to it so well.... especially these days when hard work is on again... but i must give things just the importance they deserve, no more no less...
First, yes it is myself and well being, so that i can enjoy my son and family, my blog and then work...

Enjoy yourself
hugs
;) Dulce

Felicitas said...

Thank you, everyone, for your well wishes. I am generally fine - just a little run down, which keeps resulting in my getting sick with pesky things like pneumonia, backaches and minor infections requiring nasty antibiotics. And of course, I don't have the sense to rest when I'm ill because I've convinced myself that the world will fall apart if I don't hold it together... but that's changing.

I know that if I don't take care of myself - as we all need to take care of ourselves - I could end up with something more serious... and I am not going to allow that to happen. When we are in our 20s and 30s we think we're invincible. But when our 40s or 50s hit, that's when most of us finally discover our limits. No biggie; it's just the way it is. And I finally grabbed a clue.

Eileen T O'Neill ..... said...

Felicitas,
Welcome to Poets United.
I admire your stance, when considering the things that are important in life. I liked the idea of the glass balls....
No question over what comes first!

Best wishes,
Eileen

Dianne said...

Good to hear you are taking time for the true priorities. The blogosphere rolls on, and we can get way way to into it. It can be a time eater.

I would miss your creative talent and artistic eye. Thanks for stopping by. I, too have too little time and work too much.

Take good care of yourself.
Dianne