Coming year all about finding life and work balance
As the sun set last week it shone right through the center of our kitchen window. It fascinates me that come mid-June it will have retreated so far toward the northern sky we won’t be able to see it set from our front porch.
Each day now we add a few seconds more daylight. Between Dec. 21 and 31, we gained just three minutes more of daylight total. Once we get to the first day of spring, we will begin to add almost three minutes of daylight each day.
Ecclesiastes 1 reads, “The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises…What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again, there is nothing new under the sun.”
As I reflect on the column topics from 2023, I am reminded none of these healthy living topics are new. Important, yes. But the theme of increasing knowledge and wisdom related to our health, wealth and relationships is an endeavor as old as time.
This year we’ve discussed avoiding scams, blood cancer awareness, body image, reverse mortgages, the effect of AI on child development, managing diabetes and the benefits of breastfeeding. My three favorite columns were about meal planning and prepping tips, transferring credit card debt and changing our parenting as our children’s brains develop in adolescence.
Sitting here on the last day of the year, my tradition is to choose “one word” on which to focus next year. I appreciate the self-reflection this annual process offers. The opportunity to purposefully take stock of where I am on the tape measure of life.
In my forty-sixth year, that means an average of 33 possible years according to the latest CDC life expectancy numbers. But I always have 59 in my head. When my mom passed away at that age, I committed to not assume I would see 60. Not morbid, not pessimistic, nor fatalistic. Only the Lord knows the number of our days and I don’t want to take any for granted.
I’ve been studying the book of Ecclesiastes the past few weeks. I mentioned last week King Solomon wrote this book about his observations of our fleeting life under the sun. Ferris Buehler agreed with him. “Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
That has rarely been my mantra. For me, it has seemed irresponsible to focus on fun and enjoyment. 'Work first, then play' has seemed like a good approach to life, but I am finding that work is never done. Never. So, how can I take time to take pleasure in this life around me and not feel guilty about the work still there? I sometimes feel like Scrooge watching as Fezziwig celebrates with his employees.
I have decided to choose the word "enjoy." At first, I wasn’t sure if that would get it quite right because I honestly enjoy working. But just like most teenagers need time limits on their cell phones, I need to put time limits on my work. My nature is to be productive and strive for perfection. But according to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, this is not the chief end of man. Our purpose is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.
In 2024, I will preach less and listen more to my kids. I will find reasons to laugh and smile. I will take time to appreciate what I sense around me, rather than focus on how it could be better. Fewer “if only…” and more “His grace is sufficient.”
Today I’ll leave you with this quote from William Carey, “I'm not afraid of failure; I'm afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter.”
Emily Marrison is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educator and may be reached at 740-622-2265.
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Coming year all about finding life and work balance
