We are all circus performers and we didn’t even know it.  We are all jugglers…jugglers of life.  We are wives and husbands, parents, siblings, friend, co-workers, with many responsibilities assigned to us.  And we do our very best to keep the “balls” of life from falling to the ground…ever.  Birthdays and anniversaries are important to acknowledge.  Retirement celebrations to thank someone for years of service are necessary.  Even attending a loved one’s funeral must be done as well.  But those are the big things…what about all the other little moments that we miss?  You know the ones, I am talking about…the ones that mean just as much but are easily forgotten because of the tasks that need our attention.  The never-ending list of “to-do’s” is something that never sways too far from my mind.  In fact, I have one for the house and one for the ideas here.  I don’t know about you, but I usually think of something important that I swear I forgot to do at 3am.  Think of the mom from “Home Alone” when she realizes that she left Kevin at home and you get the picture.  When I can’t remember what it is, that is when the black hole (other wise known as Pinterest) sucks me in for more quotes.  I guess it is good because I end up accomplishing something, right?  But in spite of all the craziness that consumes my energy, my time, and my focus, I need to remember to take time for myself — that should be one of the balls too, but it is probably the one that is overlooked the most.  For example, I need to make time to exercise.  But how do we do that when everything and everyone else seems to take priority?  A few years ago, I decided that the only time I could fit exercise into my day was at 5am.  But there are still bills to pay, holidays with family, and a high school  graduation to plan for too.  Do you ever feel so overwhelmed that you just want to scream at the top of your lungs?  You know that it won’t change anything, but it might feel better momentarily.  Yeah, I am with you.  Maybe we don’t ever do this because of the ever-present “Keep Calm” reminders that are everywhere.  If they only knew that my mind is a scrambled mess of chaos with no chance of ever being anything different.  Still tossing balls in the air?  Have you ever been juggling everything and then a ball drops?  It hits the floor and you are distracted by its new place.  But you cannot lose your focus for long because the other balls are still up in the air and gravity will eventually have its pull on them.  Maybe the dropped ball is spending time with your husband.  Maybe the dropped ball is the bake sale items you agreed to give.  Maybe the dropped ball is a call to an old friend, that never gets made.  Maybe that dropped ball is the mammogram you forgot to schedule — again.  It is difficult to manage everything in our lives, but somehow we do it.  We just do.  Maybe some of us did not realize that we are jugglers and maybe some of us are better at it than others.  But if we are all doing the best we can, and make every attempt to keep the balls in the air, then we will be ok.  At times, new balls will end up in our hands and others will disappear.  Personally, I know there are so many things I want to do, but I know I cannot possibly do them all (at least at once)!  Our priorities will change from time to time, but the ones we treasure most — the ones we cannot afford to drop — will be the ones we never lost sight of and we never let them fall.  Ever.  Keep working hard at whatever you are juggling and know that you are not alone.  There is never just one performer in the circus called life…there is an entourage.  “Stand in the Rain” by Superchick

Michelle A. Homme 2013 ©