problems arise in that one has to find a balance between what people need from you and what you need from yourself.
- jessye norman



this post really made me think about striving for a healthy well-balanced life--children, spouse, home, friends, work, spirituality, self (to name a few)--and how this can be so hard at times. finding an optimal balance is something i continue to strive for, especially since starting photography.

i also thought about how photography, in itself, is a huge balancing act.
there's:
the sessions
editing/proofing the photos
launching galleries
answering phone calls
answering emails
editing photos for print
designing coffee table books (long process)
working on special projects, e.g. military spouse magazine requests
organizing orders
packaging prints
delivering prints
maintaining the formal business aspects
contining to read, learn and grow

and of course, i must do all of that (and do it well and in a timely manner) while also trying to be the best mother and wife i can be. having a home business can really blur the lines between personal and business. my attempt at trying to keep those lines as separate as possible often results in 2 AM nights. one might recommend better time management but i'm not sure that's it. it's that being a mom is my priority. so my photography work typically begins at 9 PM, after the kids are in bed. sure, sometimes it sucks but i so love what i do that it never really feels like work. it all works for me right now but is my life balanced? i can honestly say, no.

in the end, the key word is balance. you need to find the right balance that works for you. celebrate your successes and don't dwell on your failures. life is a process, and so is striving for balance in your life.
- randall hansen