Balance: life, work & art

We’re at Snowater, by Mt. Baker. I’ve been sitting and reading.(Alan Furst’s Night Soldiers and Dark Star, Fast Company magazine, Henri Nouwen’s Sabbatical Journey and  more). Taken a few short hikes along rivers, in the woods and in the snow. We’ve had some great dinners, mostly ones we cooked, with the “finest wine” (from Trader Joes). Taken lots of photos! And even took a nap or two, not to mention getting a full 8 hours of sleep each night. Is this Life?

Back home I get to work with sharp people and create theatre. We help people celebrate and reflect on their lives. I drove back to Seattle on Sunday – 2 ½ hours each way, on the second day of our 1 week vacation – for the Over the River and Through the Woods cast party: great fun and cast! I get to think about, and work toward extending the impact of Taproot Theatre Company with many of the same sharp, fun and adventurous and prayerful people. Is this Life?

At the house, we’re fixing up our upstairs bedroom (improving the closet) and bathroom (replacing ancient pipes, replacing a sink and adding a bathtub). Our kids are young adults, and it’s good to affirm their efforts, listen to their frustrations (Peter and theatre; Lisa and bad-tippers – she’s waiting tables and going to school), and guide or ask questions where needed. I have a vegetable garden with 6 tomato plants, cucumbers, 4 blueberry bushes, a lot of raspberry canes, oregano, rosemary and basil. Is this Life?

What does a Life in BALANCE look like when you enjoy work, family and play? When your work (in the arts, like mine) is seldom on a fixed schedule, 9-5 affair, and you read and see things – even on vacation – that feed ideas for projects. At what point does that underlying thrill or satisfaction actually become stress and a distraction?

My context for questioning . . . Tim Russert passed away two weeks ago of a heart attack. A good friend reflected in his blog on 2 months of ignored chest pains and the stern warning from his wife, doctor…and his body. Another good buddy, a managing director of a peer-theatre and 4 or 5 years younger than me, had a heart attack last Thursday and will need a triple bypass. Hmm, and I’ve had high blood pressure since 2005…

So Balance is of interest to me, or at least up for major review. From the points of view of mental, spiritual, emotional and physical health – how should I rank, or re-rank the things that make me happy and busy? Vacations with no worries about work, the next project, TTC finances, etc. are rare. No answers today…but I’m finally asking the question and it’s worthy of more thought, prayer and correction.