Ever tried to juggle twelve bowling pins while walking across a tight rope?  I hear it’s pretty hard to do.  What about staying sane while simultaneously trying to be a productive employee or student, fulfill your church calling, care for your family and friends, keep your house and health in order, attend the temple, study the scriptures and other good books, participate in civic affairs, and do everything else you want to do or think you should do?  That’s a pretty challenging feat, too.

I’ve written recently about the importance of living a simple life.  Closely related to this concept, and equally important,  is living a balanced life.  A simple life is good, but it is even better when it includes a variety of activities and when its executor does not run faster than he or she has strength.  We must do all things in wisdom and order.

What does it mean to live a balanced life?  Let’s first list some characteristics of an imbalanced life:

• Working 12+ hours each day
• Playing video games or watching Youtube videos all day
• Reading the scriptures all day
• Sleeping less than is reasonably needed
• Trying to accomplish more in one day than is physically, mentally, or emotionally possible

In other words, it is best to divide our time among various worthy activities.  True, some days we may need to dedicate extra time to, say, family or work.  Perhaps even over the course of a semester as a student or a 5-year period as a bishop we may need to focus more on specific activities, but, generally, we should strive for balance.  Also, we should also try to accomplish everything of which we are capable each day but nothing more.  We simply can’t do everything we’d like to do.  Elder Maxwell said this:

We unwisely often write checks against our time accounts as we never would dare do, comparably, against our bank accounts. Sometimes we make so many commitments, they become like the vines in the allegory of Jacob, threatening to “overcome the roots,” including the roots of family relationships, friendships, and relationships with God. (Neal A. Maxwell, “Wisdom and Order,” Aug., 25, 1993)

Some people run about frantically from event to event or chore to chore while oblivious to the simple joys of life.  Even when going about doing good, frenzied industriousness is not orderly and is not necessarily wise.   In the same talk, Elder Maxwell also said this:

Somehow, giving unhurried time is a greater gift even if the minutes or hours are technically the same as when hurried.

It is best to determine which activities are “good,” “better,” and “best” for us to do, as Elder Oaks has explained, and then to start with the “best” activities and work our way down the list.  I have found great satisfaction in working to accomplish those goals and daily tasks that are most important to me while keeping things simple and balanced.  Living a simple, balanced life is one good way to do things in wisdom and order.

What do you think?