Priorities: Balance

Posted on July 3, 2009 
Filed Under Fathering, Marriage, Parenting, Spiritual Life

Among others, former President George W. Bush was one of several people who have inspired me in regard to balancing life. Many would consider the “leader of the free world” to be the most powerful man in the world. Certainly running the country and trying to keep everything in check on the global scene would be a very, very difficult job. The meetings, the reading and writing, the travel, the press conferences and sheer scope of the work means that “POTUS” is under great stress and has little breathing room. How can one of the busiest men in the world ever have a moment of free time for fun or relaxation? How does he do it all?

If you look at pictures of presidents when they first take office and then near the end of their term, it is pretty obvious that those four (or eight) years take a huge toll on their physical well-being. There is often weight gain and a dramatic increase in grey hair. Some presidents leave office with recently acquired health issues that have to be the result of the burdens and pace of the office. It is apparent that the pressing needs and crushing responsibilities deeply affect these men.

Some have dealt with the stress of it all better than others, and it appears that Mr. Bush had a plan to avoid getting out-of-balance. He was famous for his “early to bed, early to rise” philosophy, which meant bedtime was at 10:00 p.m. He made it a point to start every day with a devotional time, reading Scripture and praying. He worked out routinely, often inviting guests to join him for a mountain bike ride or even running in races. He spent family time with his wife and daughters at his Texas ranch.

I marveled at the revelation that someone with so much responsibility and such a difficult schedule could somehow seem to keep his life in balance. His work, while arguably some of the most important in the world, did not deprive him of good health and spiritual disciplines. He did not let the office stop him from practicing good habits, nor from keeping his family relationships growing and healthy.

Keeping priorities straight is a key factor in finding work-home balance.

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