Sometimes I just juggle, not for practice to become better, but to momentarily take my mind off something or just to see if I can still do it. I can...
Just Juggle
Just a few years ago or so I put some juggling balls in my living room. They remain there tucked among stacks of CD's and DVD's on a media shelf. I figured they were better stored there than out in a plastic tub in the garage along with some of my other juggling gear. At least if they were close at hand I'd be more apt to juggle now and then.Every now and then I'll pick them up to toss them around. Juggling can have a therapeutic value of sorts, helping with concentration and focus or just allowing for a rhythmic lull akin to the beating of my heart. And I suppose juggling might be good for the heart since it is a form of exercise.
Then once again comes the metaphor--juggling as life. We're always juggling elements of life. Work, friends, family, country, God...
So much going on with us as we can juggle in so many patterns and variations. At times it might seem a wonder that we can keep so many things going when we look back on that metaphorical juggling act somewhere in our past. Other times we might drop everything, left in a scramble to pick it all back up.
Maybe having been a juggler in a theatrically professional sense might have some bearing on my ability to have dealt with a lot of balls flying in the air of my life. I get less flustered by the unexpected things that come my way as I get older. Or maybe it's all just a matter of age and experience. Others I have known had a lot worse things happen in their lives than I have and managed to get back on their feet. Others didn't.
It might just be that all of those who make it are all pretty good at metaphorical juggling. And maybe a good many of those survivors happen to be able to actually juggle three balls. For those of us who can, I say, "Just juggle".
What have we got to lose if we don't? Maybe everything.
Do you find yourself in an overwhelming juggling act in your life? Can you actually juggle multiple objects? What activity do you like to do when you need to calm yourself or get focused?
Well I guess jungling is part of the life, as we have to share energy and time with family, work, time for ourself, especially during this days. I like to walk to get focused, like many others I guess. And for calming myself, I found quilting is a great therapeutique hobby!
ReplyDeleteJ is for Jewelry
Frederique, walking is my favorite exercise. I've heard many tout quilting or knitting. Many years ago I got into embroidery for a while and that was kind of relaxing as I recall, but it seemed like I had more idle time back then.
DeleteLee
Hi Lee - juggling with life ... I have to say I'm glad I can jump off the band-wagon briefly and get on with clearing stuff out ... so I'm juggling my past history - keeping a few things ...
ReplyDeleteIn a few years I'll need another break to do more. Glad you keep your hand in with your skill - those were the days for you ... all the best at this time - Hilary
Hilary, always something to do and I rarely have to look long or far to find it.
DeleteLee
I think there's a lot to this. Not everyone has "multitasking" in their wheelhouse.
ReplyDeleteCW, I guess different people have different levels of an ability to multitask.
DeleteLee
Yes, I can actually juggle. You're right, it is calming. Although I usually turn to guitar playing to do that.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I keep a ukulele on the couch to pluck around on when I'm watching TV. I do that more than juggle.
DeleteLee
I've always heard that juggling was one of the few things you could teach yourself how to do, but I never got around to it.
ReplyDeleteJohn, if left to their own intuitive sense on how to juggle, most people start out the wrong way. It does take a lot of practice for most people though some just seem to have a knack for it.
DeleteLee
I find myself juggling stuff in life, but looking at my list of incomplete tasks, I'm more prone to drop the balls.
ReplyDeleteTrudy, anyone who juggles drops some of the time. It's just a natural thing that happens now and then.
DeleteLee
I can't juggle damn the way I shake nothing is possible.
ReplyDeleteJuggling life stuff is just as hard at times
Jo-Anne, juggling the stuff of life is probably harder than physical juggling since one can stop the physical exercise when they want, but life just keeps on going in a juggling act that never ends until the day we die.
DeleteLee
Oh gosh, I have had my share of crappola happen and, at times, I wasn’t sure where to turn. When I have had bad things happen, I would often watch movies which made me forget even if it was for only a couple of hours. I would also take a walk on some trail and listening to the birds and looking at nature all around me, made me calm down.
ReplyDeleteBirgit, movies can be a great escape for me as well, but life is still there after the credits have stopped running and the movie is over. I used to like walking on a peaceful trail when I lived close to the mountains, but now I have to settle for walking around the neighborhood or the shopping center unless I want to drive somewhere to walk in a more natural setting. Walking anywhere can be nice.
DeleteLee
When I feel like the life juggle is too much, writing something, be it a letter to a friend, an entry in a journal, a response to a blog....it always makes me feel better. Keep juggling Arlee.
ReplyDeleteCB, writing is a wonderfully productive escape. Blogging has provided a good outlet for my thoughts.
DeleteLee