JUGGLING CHAINSAWS
Yesterday, I read an intriguing essay
by Marlene Buffa. Rather creatively, her
article addresses the complexities of modern-day life. Ms. Buffa employs the metaphor of “juggling
chainsaws” as an apt description of how so many handle all the stress and stuff
of life. Read, reflect and enjoy.
Years ago, “Saturday Night Live” included a skit where Billy Crystal and Christopher
Guest played blue collar workers discussing
their masochistic habits.* Describing painful physical events that were absurdly
orchestrated, they grimaced and replied, “Ooh, I hate when that happens.” The audience laughed heartily, not only
because of the performers’ comedic talents, but because they recognized the
irony of their own self-destructive behaviors.
(*) Editor’s Note: “MASOCHISM” is gratification gained from pain imposed
on oneself (or) the act of turning one’s destructive tendencies inward or upon
oneself. [Source: Dictionary.com]
We, too, have our own chainsaws that we desperately try to juggle,
and all too often we end up unwittingly grinding away at the solid trunk of our
foundation. All too often, our peace and
productivity is felled at our own hands, which have wielded the instruments of
our self-destruction.
For many people, life has three major aspects which comprise daily existence: our work, our play and our relationships. We opt to savor them one at a time, or we grab each precious experience by the handful, anxiously wondering how to make sense of it all. One by one, we examine each component, and given the luxury of time and patience, we learn to fully appreciate the role of each aspect in our lives.
But what happens when we neglect two parts to actualize only one portion of life? Sitting on the sideline, waiting for engagement, the other two neglected orbs of life try to operate on their own. In truth, when we cannot handle each portion of life in equal balance, the neglected parts profoundly suffer.
We must learn how to focus. More often than not, the loudest chainsaw in our lives gets the most attention, just as the squeaky wheel gets the grease. When we find ourselves crying out loudly for healing of one aspect over another, we must recognize the imbalance and seek to correct it. As in juggling, coordinating all areas of life requires skill, timing and constant attention. Struggling to keep all parts of ourselves active and alive requires tireless effort which might eventually lead to fatigue, but focusing on one portion over another ultimately produces the failure of the whole.
But here’s the problem. Juggling itself produces no results. Look at your life. In what ways is your life enriched by your constant attention to making everything always turn out neat and even? Life just doesn’t work that way. It’s not all neat…not all even…not all beautiful. We must learn to take the good with the bad, and not get so lost in the process of juggling that we forget to enjoy every day that is afforded us.
When things are good, they don’t require much juggling. Only perceived difficulties require shifting to avoid our feeling bad too long with one thing at a time. We do not hear too much about juggling and struggling when we are experiencing perfect health, happiness and abundance. Even so, as humans, we tend to interject ‘drama’ and find a reason to experience “I hate when that happens” moments at our own expense.
Take a close look to see what you are actually juggling in life; you might discover an absurd struggle! You see, misery requires focus, energy and perpetual motion to exist. Never be afraid to evaluate your success in these three aspects of life. Why are you juggling, on what are you focusing (hence creating more of the same), and what are you juggling, i.e. how does it show up in your life? Someday you may realize the thing in your life you’ve desperately tried to keep in motion is not anything you ever wanted or needed. If it doesn’t empower you and others, move forward, drop it, and be happy that it happened. You just might have been juggling chainsaws – and that’s quite dangerous.
For many people, life has three major aspects which comprise daily existence: our work, our play and our relationships. We opt to savor them one at a time, or we grab each precious experience by the handful, anxiously wondering how to make sense of it all. One by one, we examine each component, and given the luxury of time and patience, we learn to fully appreciate the role of each aspect in our lives.
But what happens when we neglect two parts to actualize only one portion of life? Sitting on the sideline, waiting for engagement, the other two neglected orbs of life try to operate on their own. In truth, when we cannot handle each portion of life in equal balance, the neglected parts profoundly suffer.
We must learn how to focus. More often than not, the loudest chainsaw in our lives gets the most attention, just as the squeaky wheel gets the grease. When we find ourselves crying out loudly for healing of one aspect over another, we must recognize the imbalance and seek to correct it. As in juggling, coordinating all areas of life requires skill, timing and constant attention. Struggling to keep all parts of ourselves active and alive requires tireless effort which might eventually lead to fatigue, but focusing on one portion over another ultimately produces the failure of the whole.
But here’s the problem. Juggling itself produces no results. Look at your life. In what ways is your life enriched by your constant attention to making everything always turn out neat and even? Life just doesn’t work that way. It’s not all neat…not all even…not all beautiful. We must learn to take the good with the bad, and not get so lost in the process of juggling that we forget to enjoy every day that is afforded us.
When things are good, they don’t require much juggling. Only perceived difficulties require shifting to avoid our feeling bad too long with one thing at a time. We do not hear too much about juggling and struggling when we are experiencing perfect health, happiness and abundance. Even so, as humans, we tend to interject ‘drama’ and find a reason to experience “I hate when that happens” moments at our own expense.
Take a close look to see what you are actually juggling in life; you might discover an absurd struggle! You see, misery requires focus, energy and perpetual motion to exist. Never be afraid to evaluate your success in these three aspects of life. Why are you juggling, on what are you focusing (hence creating more of the same), and what are you juggling, i.e. how does it show up in your life? Someday you may realize the thing in your life you’ve desperately tried to keep in motion is not anything you ever wanted or needed. If it doesn’t empower you and others, move forward, drop it, and be happy that it happened. You just might have been juggling chainsaws – and that’s quite dangerous.
Many thanks are extended to Ms. Buffa for sharing so eloquently with
us. Moreover, I would add an additional
and all-important life ingredient for our consideration, which is the spiritual aspect of life. While we are attending to our relationships,
our work and our play, we must never
neglect our spirits, which will significantly impact the other three areas,
in a most profound, personal and permanent way.
What do you think?
Sisters and brothers, be continually
blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON
COMING KING. Maranatha!
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