Balance

There was a time not so long ago that I could at least count on December to be a fairly quiet month.  The school year was mostly over, and the holidays, though busy, were nothing like the rest of the year.  Somehow that changed over the last two years or so.  And with that change, the rest of the year also stepped across the next threshhold of more-things-than-the-time-available-would-seem-to-allow.  I have not yet come into balance with this new way of things - heck, I hadn't really come into balance with the older, somewhat less busy way of things. 

Clearly, something is being demanded of me - by me.  I am at a point where, because of this imbalance, I am giving less than my best to things which need only my best.  And there are still more things asking for my time and attention. 

And, on top of that, there are things demanding an even higher standard of integrity and command than I have ever encountered in my life.

I admit I am somewhat at a loss.  One thing that seems relevant is strength of mind (see http://dtmms.org/readingroom/7values/strength_of_mind.htm).  In particular, allowing "pretender voices" (the negative self-talk that shows us ourselves and the world around us through our version of funhouse mirrors - see "Board of Mis-Directors" site http://boardofmisdirectors.com/ for examples from a different perspective) to rule our thought processes screws everything up. 

Another piece, I think, is related to effort.  When I take the direct route - not to say the path of least resistance, by any means, but the route that leads most directly to the outcome I am seeking - it often frees up time and energy for other things.  Even if it is impolitic, or unexpected, or different from the social norms I'm supposed to follow.  "Supposed to" - that's probably a key phrase.

Again, I come back to questions: is it just a matter of saying "no"?  Is it efficiency, and/or ruthlessness (in the best sense, of course)?  Is it just the way life develops?  Does everyone experience this?