…that’s what they call it these days but there has always been some element of this that has felt insincere, much the way that quality time versus length of time does. If we have 5 minutes with the ones we adore, it will be a good 5 minutes but that is not a substitute for the depth of connection that grows naturally over time — actual time invested in being in one another’s ongoing presence.
Quality time and work life balance present a certain guilt. There is no need for guilt, it serves no healthy purppose. What we need is perspective, and an appreciation for I call life effort.
Look back over our history and you find pioneers crossing the countryside, settling as farmers, working long and challenging days. There was no separation between home and work, family and colleagues, because they were basically all the same. sounds great, right? Yes and no. Every circumstance brings issues, attitudes, realities we need to face and solve. It’s not a problem unless we think in those terms.
Life effort means to put forth where we are in time, space, mind, and heart. We don’t need to allow false barriers into our lives. Boundaries or awareness for the working life are beautiful to introduce to our private life beloveds. The challenge is when we take it on so seriously that we create barriers instead of healthy boundaries. Same goes for our home life.
The question is an exercise. If you have the book, Build the Strength Within, move onto page 68. If you don’t, here is what to do. Draw a stick figure of yourself. Select 2 colors and color your self in where it is you are at work and home…..there is no wrong way to do this so few additional guidelines for you here, just allow it. Don’t overthink it. You’ll get a sense of where you are.
Next step: ask your inner most self where is it that you want the colors to shift…………….you will know the answer and then the solutions will begin to percolate.
Give it a try. Let me know how it goes, please……
