Chronicles of Chaos

June 14, 2007 | Print

Balance v. Improvise

I finally hooked up my car for satellite radio and then finally found NPR and today my bonus is catching five minutes of interviews about motherhood and careers.

A few experts and a few working moms debate the concept of balance. A working mom says something to the effect that balance is subjective and fluctuates with the weeks and months as well as the day.

Some periods are weighted more towards work and others towards family. And, if someone followed her around all day, they may not feel her life is as balanced as she thinks it is.

The best part is that she doesn’t seem to care. She consulted from home when her kids were young, kept enough contacts to get a job when she wanted one, and obviously fulfilled a sort of ideal (hopefully her ideal) which makes her a good source for the program.

My life looks nothing like hers, but I feel better knowing she’s out there talking in this down to earth, non-judgmental, open way. I do feel that like her, we’re all just figuring it out.

Though I trade this concept of balance for improvisation. Balance feels heavy like we have to do/carry/manage/plan this balance thing.

Improvise is creative, spontaneous, and at the same time all about getting from here to there–but with an opening to discover along the way. It has a lighter vibe that helps me keep the hard days in perspective.

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