Five Balls in the Air

Since we couldn't figure out how to add to the blog which Patti did such a good job of setting up for us, we are sending our thoughts to you via email from Breckenridge (where it is snowing and beautiful this morning).  Hopefully, we can master this before next time!  We will be home next Sunday afternoon.  

From Linda

Patti's thoughts last week reminded both Mike and me of a quote we heard recently in our church's marriage seminar.  In a 30-second speech by Bryan Dyson. former CEO of Coca Cola, he said the following at a university commencement program---

"Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air.  They are 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 it."

Work efficiently during office hours and leave on time.  Give the required time to your family, friends & have proper rest. 

                                                           Value has a value only if its value is valued." 

This was a powerful reminder to me to think about what I really do value.  Do I even take the time to consider exactly what is most important to me?  I began to think about the people in my life who are so dear to me and resolve to never take them for granted.  I pray with renewed gratitude for the gifts God has given me---my dear husband of 54+ years, my precious children and the ones God gave them to marry, my priceless grandchildren and those he has given them in marriage, and God's promise of faithfulness to a thousand generations for those who love him and keep his commandments.  

Yesterday, Mother's Day, I raised my prayer of thankfulness to my heavenly father for the mothers he placed in my life and the lives of my husband and spouses of my children and grandchildren.  From each one of them we have learned important values which are gifts from God.  From now on, I will do my best to value the blessings in my life.

From Mike

To the guys, let me add that the example of the five balls in the air was a great reminder for me to not let Work consume me and end up losing one or more of the other four.  I pray to God to help each of us to stay focused on the four--Family, Health, Friends and Spirit.  May I suggest that if we don't get the Spirit right, the others will become of lesser value as time goes on.  So my encouragement for each of us, is get a Christian friend to be a mentor and develop a depth in our belief in God to make all the others stronger and stronger.