Only One Bounces Back

Only One Bounces Back

“You’re juggling five balls named—work, family, health, friends, and integrity.

You’re keeping them all in the air.

Work is a rubber ball.

If you drop it, it bounces back.

The other four balls, they’re made of glass.

If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, chipped, or even shattered.”

-James Patterson

I read this passage long ago by James Patterson, and it has stuck in my mind and heart. I’m often reminded of the analogy when I see jugglers and such. 

Strangely, it came to my mind again while I was performing “wall balls” in my CrossFit class last night. Silly, I know. But, the coach had challenged us not to drop any of them, and there were six rounds of 15 reps mixed in the workout. (Reference: That’s 90 fourteen-pound wall balls tossed up to an 8-foot target.)

In my mind, I kept thinking about Patterson’s analogy. Don’t drop the most precious glass balls in life. Luckily the wall ball isn’t glass and doesn’t break or shatter. And…yes, I dropped a couple during the workout! Lol.

But, after the workout, I began to think of my own precious family and how often I’ve allowed one of the “glass” balls drop to keep the rubber one in the air. Unfortunately, I doubt I’m the only one that has experienced this juggling mishap, which is why I wanted to share this short yet powerful message. 

Those glass balls are invaluable–family, health, friends, and integrity.

Just a little reminder from a clumsy juggler (literally and metaphorically)–

Let’s be careful which ball(s) we allow to drop. 

Side Note: I thought I’d try to post a picture of me juggling, but that was a terrible idea. LOL.

So, I decided to post a lovely photo of my precious family, hubby, and son–my whole world. It was taken this past weekend at a cocktail party we attended to celebrate a newly wedded couple.

-Tara