Thursday, February 9, 2017

Balancing Act


Artwork BALANCING ACT by Heather Foust
Essay by Nelly Eisenhower


A few months ago, I made the decision to go back to work full time.  It seems that my family and I like to vacation AND have health insurance.  Doing both would require me to go back to work full time.  Shortly after that decision was made, the opportunity to work with my Mom to expand her creative business immersed.

At first the idea of 40 work week at a “real” job, working weekends and nights on creative projects, maintaining a household, bowling league, kid’s activities, and having time to charge my severely introverted personality seemed daunting.   Sometimes it seems like a balancing act trying to juggle the activities of my life. 

We have all seen the circus act where the performer tries to balance a stack of plates on long sticks.  He places one plate on a stick and then spins it as fast as he can so that whatever physics principle that is in play takes over and the plate will balance on the tip of the stick.  Then he moves to the next stick/plate combo and sets that plate a spinning.  Before moving on to the 3rd plate, the performer circles back to the 1st plate and spins the plate again to keep it on top of the stick.  He continues this back and forth until he successfully has all of his plates spinning.  Touching and retouching each plate every so often so that they don’t come crashing down onto the floor. 

Like the circus performer, we all have areas of our lives we are spinning. Family, friends, work, play, spirituality, financial, health etc.  So often, we let one area of our lives dominate our existence.  We think we can’t possibly tend to all the plates of our lives.  But much like the circus performer, to achieve the balance we desire, we must spin all the plates equally, or our lives will seem out of balance and like unattended spinning plates, come crashing to the ground.

To achieve more balance in my life, I am embracing a new word….busy.  Busy comes with such a negative connotation. I admit, I am guilty of uttering an exasperated “Busy” when someone asks me “How are you?”  But busy doesn’t need to be negative if the things that are occupying your time are filling your spirit.  Busy can mean full. 

What we must be clear about is what is insignificant, what are we allowing to consume our precious time.  What can be given up so that we can spin the plates of our desires and achieve the balance we are looking for. 

For me, what is no longer significant is T.V. and web searching.  Sure, I will make the time to watch The Walking Dead and I also have a few blogs that I will continue to frequent.  But the hours of mindlessly searching the web and channel surfing are eating up precious time that I do not want to waste.  If I must give these things up to feel more connected, I’m o.k. with that. 
What do you need in your life to achieve balance?  What is your opinion of busy?


Here’s to having all your plates spinning at one time. 



Helloooo, It is me Heather  I wanted to introduce you to my daughter Nelly Eisenhower. She and I will be collaborating on a New Website and Business.
Busy behind the scenes!
Remember in a good way...
It will still be lots of art but it will also be some spiritual/healing/inspirational/good feeling stuff.
It will include our whole big loud juicy family.
We are all artist's in our own way.
So stay tuned.......
Something Big and Beautiful is coming soon........

In the meantime don't forget that you can still sign up for my online class
A LIFE FULL OF COLOR
hosted by Kara Bullock..
click on this link and you can see more info
https://karabullockart.com/shop/classes/life-full-color/

YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO MAKE MY BALANCING ACT PAINTING.

Here is what is happening on my art table right now. 

See you all with all good news!!

39 comments :

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

Your work is beautiful! I can relate to busy lives, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Happy PPF!

Gloria j Zucaro said...

Congratulations on keeping your plates spinning! Not an easy task, but rewarding as you say.I love the intensity of being totally absorbed in one area but then I have to give that up after a while and try to bring order back into the rest of my life. I think you are right, balance should try to be achieved. Your card today so well describes the balancing act!

Christine said...

Beautiful piece and good luck!

BrownPaperBunny said...

Sometimes busy can be good, it can force you to choose what's most important to you and not waste time on other things. :)

peggy gatto said...

How very delightful to see your happy busy art!

Clare Lloyd said...

Beautiful art

Katja Bjergby said...

Love this article! Im looking so much forward to following your family webside!!joy to you and ART❤

Sandy said...

Its all a balancing act and loved reading your blog today. What a beautiful arty butterfly and yes it is all choices and sounds like you are making your choices work for you, awesome job.
Happy PPF

froebelsternchen said...

Beautiful ARTWORK Heather!

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Wonderful busy background behind the well balanced image :)

Susan said...

So true! Balancing requires self discipline and we don't all have it. Gorgeous artwork today! Happy PPF

Carol said...

Such an amazing piece and your life is "BUSY" :) Which as you say is not always a bad thing :)

Gillena Cox said...

Enjoyed your sharing today, Happy PPF

much love...

Julie said...

I love this, great insights and beautiful art!

Heather Foust said...

Gloria so true I sometimes find that when I am consentrating on one thing in my life like my weight I forget about the other things. Life is a Balancing Act!

Heather Foust said...

Thank You Arnoldo!! Busy is good!!

Heather Foust said...

Thank You Christine!!!

Heather Foust said...

Key is not wasting time!! Which I sometimes do.

Heather Foust said...

Thank You Peggy!

Heather Foust said...

Thank You Katja!!! It's going to be really good!! I am excited!!!

Heather Foust said...

Thank you Sandy!! It's all sbout the balance!!

Heather Foust said...

Thank You Susi!!

Heather Foust said...

Thank You!!

Heather Foust said...

It's hard sometime. It has always been a issue for me. Finding that balance. Thank You Susan!!

Heather Foust said...

Thank You Carol!! Busy Good!!

Heather Foust said...

Thank You Gillena!!

Sue (this n that) said...

Hello Heather, your art is beautiful. It's amazing how much we can accomplish when we're juggling/spinning lots. Enjoy your life :D)

Laney said...

Beautiful art work! Nice essay about balance and letting go of the time consuming things that are not a priority. Sounds like a fun project you and your daughter have in mind.

artbyjune said...

Your art work is beautiful. First time I've visited your amazing site.

Latane Barton said...

All I can say is 'Bless Your Heart' and 'Good Luck'.

Giggles said...

Yes, busy in your own way is always best! We often spend time on too many things that are fruitless to our growth and well being! For me setting boundaries sets me free to do what I love!! Just heard a person talk about how many unnecessary things we do in a lifetime taking away from our own joy! Excellent post and artwork! Good to see you back and all the best with your new endeavours!!

Hugs Giggles

Tracy said...

A beautiful rendition of a balancing act. All best wishes with the new venture.

kate blue said...

Your work is gorgeous and I apologize for getting credits so confused on my IG (I've fixed it)-LOVE how you've inspired me so far in just one week!

jagbir said...

Usually, I never comment on blogs but your article is so convincing that I never stop myself to say something about it. You’re doing a great job Man. Best article I have ever read

Keep it up!

mamta said...

Apparently, this blog is awesome. I like the given information. Keep Updating…
Linux VPS Hosting

Sachin Rajput said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Megha Rajput said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Megha Rajput said...

Such as very awesomesauce blog posting. I love fashion art and I collect a lot of art on our blog that is very impressive .you will try to it show on market online. if you wanna support for presenting your art online then our services USA VPS Hosting could you help

Sachin Rajput said...

Thank you very much!!!!
Such as a very awesome blog posting with us. I love fashion drawing and I collect a lot of fashion on our blog. you will try to its show on the market online. if you wanna support for presenting your fashion and drawing online then Onlive Server provides services UK VPS Hosting. which is better for your online marketing.