Tired of feeling inadequate; that you just can't seam to measure up? Try seeking a little balance in your life, set your priorities and stick to them. Read more about seeking balance...

"Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:38-42)

We have all seen "those" women. They manage a house full of kids; cook from scratch three meals per day; sew; sing; play an instrument (or two or three); read for pleasure, awareness or for education; are up to date on their scripture studying, visiting teaching, family, couple and personal prayers and always host a fabulous get together in their immaculate home and look trendy and stylish all at once.

Funny how everyone seems to know these women, but no one will admit to being one of these women. This is because they simply do not exist anywhere but in our minds, and are only what we build them up to be as a means of judging ourselves. The above type of balancing act would quickly wear out the best and most righteous of women. What we are really seeing are women who have their priorities straight and understand that all things are possible through the Lord. They have a needed balance in their lives and fully comprehend the scripture in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

Many women in the church feel pulled from every direction and are unsure where their priorities should lie. Should they, as Mary, kneel at the feet of the Savior to be taught or are they in a situation where following Martha's example of taking care of the home and temporal needs are more necessary? When is the proper season for things? While we are finding it, can we also find balance?

M. Russell Ballard said, "Many people have heavy demands upon them stemming from parental, family, employment, church and civic responsibilities. Keeping everything in balance can be a real problem." ("Keeping Life's Demands in Balance," Ensign May 1987).

In the article, "Seeking a Balanced Life," by Donald L. Hallstrom in the August 2003 Ensign, he states,

"Leading a balanced life can be difficult for any of us. There is not an exact pattern that works for everyone, and even our own blueprint may change during different phases of life." He goes on to say, "For many, properly caring for the family is the first area of compromise when other demands arise, since the results of neglect are not always immediately apparent. But nurturing the husband - wife relationship and building a spiritual home require men and women of vision and commitment."

What, then, is the solution? It is certainly not the neglect of things. M. Russell Ballard once commented that, (paraphrased) too much of anything or too little of important things can throw us off balance.

O. Don Ostler in "Keeping Our Balance: Recognizing and Resisting Excesses in Our Efforts to Live the Gospel," from the June 1983 Ensign said, "Even in the practice of religion we may become unbalanced, especially if we concentrate our total efforts in one area while ignoring other equally important commitments…The emphasis of one at the expense of all others brings us short of the Savior's expectations. He taught that we should do the one 'and not to leave the other undone' (Matt. 23:23)."

President Gordon B. Hinkley, in Teachings of "Gordon B. Hinckley", has mentioned that we have a "fourfold responsibility:" one, to our families; next, to our employers; third, to the Lord and finally, to ourselves. Using this as a guide, we can rank our priorities and create harmony and balance. Even further, if we break it down into spiritual responsibilities (church, family and self) and temporal responsibilities (church, family and self) and then list what is important to us in each of these categories, we can plot where our time needs to go in each season of our lives.

It has been said that one definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. When we find ourselves panicking and overwhelmed, we need to remember this and alter our way of doing things. For instance, if you are overwhelmed in life, it's alright to say no to an extra task or to ask for help - both of which women don't (or won't) often do. These simple modifications of behavior, stopping the 'insanity,' can bring balance back from the chaos. Balance, in turn, can lessen stress and help us stay on top of things.

Another thing to try while regaining balance is to actively seek for the divine gifts of the spirit each of us has been given from the Lord. Elder Parley P. Pratt said,

"It (the Holy Ghost) quickens all the intellectual faculties; increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use…It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity".

President James E. Faust had this to say about balance:

"Balance in large measure is knowing the things that can be changed, putting them in proper perspective, and recognizing the things that will not change. And balance also lies in attitude. May our attitude be one of achieving balance and wisdom and understanding in all that we do" ("The Need for Balance in Our Lives," Ensign March 2000).

Another solution may be to prioritize all of the righteous choices we have to focus on in our lives. Robert F. Bohn in the August 1979 Ensign said,

"But what happens when two 'right' principles conflict - spending time with family versus fulfilling Church callings? The key is realizing that each situation has to be prayerfully considered - that what may be right in one situation may not be applicable in another. In seeking priorities, we should determine which option is the most important in specific instances…The family and the Church are of prime importance, both are of God, and either may take precedence, depending on the specific situation. …As we become sensitive to the Holy Ghost, we can better establish priorities for each season or circumstance that will be acceptable and pleasing to the Lord."

As we find in most things pertaining to this life, balance can be achieved by following the gospel of Christ. All of our responsibilities and expectations can be balanced with the Lord's help. If we do the work and pray, prioritize and serve, whether it is our families or others as our 'season' dictates, we will become both Mary and Martha, balancing our spiritual well-being while tending to our temporal needs.

M. Russell Ballard said,

"Do the basic things and, before you realize it, your life will be full of spiritual understanding that will confirm to you that your Heavenly Father loves you. When a person knows this, then life will be full of purpose and meaning, making balance easier to maintain."