11. Balance

* I had ‘balance’ ready as the next prompt but wasn’t sure whether to use it or not but a few days ago I received an e-mail from a ‘miscellany’ friend who said (and I hope she doesn’t mind me quoting her) …

“We are getting to the stage in life where we want to slow down with work and enjoy smelling the roses.”

So here is the prompt as planned, I hope you find it inspiring.

Today
is a day
like any other: twenty-four hours,
a little sunshine,
a little rain.

Listen,
says ambition, nervously shifting her weight
from one boot to another -
why don't you get going?

For there I am, in the mossy shadows, under the trees.
And to tell the truth, I don't want to let go of the wrists of idleness,
I don't want to sell my life for money,
I don't even want to come in out of the rain."

- Mary Oliver

There are so many joys in life “For there I am, in the mossy shadows, under the trees” and yet often they are combined with responsibilities, “I don’t want to sell my life for money” is one I have considered.

Do you sometimes find that joys/responsibilities are at odds with one another?
What joys do you experience that happily combine with responsibilities?
What gives ‘balance’ to your life?