* Do you get out of bed running and before you know it it's time to have lunch but you don't remember eating breakfast?

* At the end of the day are you absolutely run down but you notice that nothing on your "to do" list got done?

* Do you spend most of your day running around putting out "fires", feeling frustrated and stressed?

Guess what? Your life is out of balance. The list goes on and on but I won't. Truth is truth no matter what your opinion may be.

Do you know anyone who is managing a large family? Have you ever thought to yourself, "How does she do it?" Perhaps the one you're thinking of doesn't do it all that well -- her life is out of balance. Think about it. Do you know anyone who seems to have a "full plate" -- much more to do than you have -- who seems to be thriving and growing? Does she volunteer to do more? Do you find yourself thinking, "Better her than me"?

Would you like to know how she does it? I'll share with you how she does it. I'll share with you how I do it.

I have 8 kids. I home-school those of school age. I am currently working on my doctorate and am maintaining an "A" average. I teach childbirth classes from my home. I volunteer in my community and am available to mothers 24/7. I am building my own business. I am active in my church. There's a lot on my plate.

I begin my day by making my "to do" list the night before after the kids are in bed. I sit listening to the silence with a pen and paper handy. I write down whatever comes to my mind. I sit listening to the silence until nothing else comes. It usually takes about 30 minutes, sometimes longer. I then take that list and I mark the six most important ones. The ones that MUST get done, no matter what. I then put everything into categories. All "like" items into the same listing -- phone calls, housework, etc. Now I can sleep because I've put it all down on paper. It's no longer in my head keeping me awake.

I attempt to rise early. Notice I said "attempt". I have a nursling and he sometimes wants to nurse when I want to get up so I will do that first. Sometimes the result is me falling back to sleep but that's okay because I've already made my list.

Once he's back to sleep, I rise and sit in the silence. Remember, I have 8 kids. Silence is scarce so I use that time wisely. I ponder on my day, I read something inspirational, I do some form of exercise or stretching, I shower, dress and get my hair and make-up done. I eat breakfast.

That's right -- I EAT BREAKFAST. I'm not talking about a granola or breakfast bar. I'm talking about breakfast. Make it a big one -- your body will thank you in the form of energy. You know what else happens when you feed your body a lot of healthy food first thing in the morning? Your emotional state improves. How does that happen? You've just given your body what it needs to balance.

I've started my day out the right way - the balanced way. I've fed my body spiritually (listening to the silence and pondering - aka meditation), mentally (reading something inspirational), physically (eating a good breakfast), and emotionally (starting the day slowly with intention and purpose).

Does this ensure the day will run flawlessly? No. What it does mean is that I am balanced and ready to accept whatever gets thrown my way. The top six things on my list WILL GET DONE. They may be the only things that get done but that's okay. The kids will get loved on and taught what they need to know. My husband will be okay if he comes into an unkept house because he knows by the happy kids that I've been working hard all day.

I am feeling balanced. Complete. Whole. Peace is in the center of my day. I can and will do the things that are necessary. The day will finish and I will sit in the silence and make my list. The cycle continues.