Comics, Coffee and Catches
Jan. 2, 2007
On Juggling

Posted in Stream of Thought

A lot of people seem to use juggling as a metaphor for trying to handle so many factors in their life. Being an actual juggler, this started me thinking...

You see, Juggling Paynes really had nothing to do with kids. This was the name my husband and I used when we started doing juggling shows. I never even noticed the metaphor until another homeschooler pointed it out to me years ago. She hadn't realized I could actually juggle, she just thought I used the term to describe my homeschooling life.

Here's the secret to juggling: I only think about one object at a time. When a ball or club (or knife or torch) is in my hand, that is my focus. Yes, I'm watching everything else, but for that brief moment, the object in my hand is the most important thing. Once I send it into the air, I can't do anything about it. Either I've thrown it well and it ends up in the other hand, or I've thrown it poorly and it ends up on the floor. While it's airborne, I can't do anything about it! For me, this is more a metaphor of faith, not of handling too many things. How many times have I tried to teach someone to juggle and they couldn't let go of that next ball? They're afraid of dropping it, or not having enough time to catch the ball heading toward that hand. Whatever the reason, it comes down to not trusting themselves, not having faith that things will work out the way they are supposed to. I always say, juggling is about throwing, not catching! Throw well and the catches will take care of themselves!

Let go, my friends! Have faith!

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Comments

Jan. 3, 2007 - Very well put!

Posted by BerryGirlyMom


That was the best written advice I've read in a very long time!

Wendy


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Jan. 4, 2007 - hi!

Posted by CarpeBanana


thanks for the illustration... we have a friend who juggles so my kids will be interested in hearing that... something for us to think about. :)


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Apr. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Aliadelaide


I really like this ,I'm going to print it out and put it on our family noticeboard(bulletin board) if you don't object to the fact its in the smallest and most often used room in the house(see its where people often "hang out" to avoid the "call" to chores!!)


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Jun. 12, 2007 - Chaos vs. order

Posted by buffalorock


You reminded me how ryhthmic (sp) that juggling feel is. So often people use juggling as a picture of chaos...but in reality it is such order, so very organized. But to the one who has never experienced it...its only chaos. Ah, and for the juggler...the more you practice the easier it gets. Okay, okay I'll get the juggling bag!!!! Check with me to see if I really did...okay. Thanks.


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