A Well-Balanced Life by Tara Schorr

I have found myself repeatedly coming back to the importance of a balanced life ever since the Eve Anderson Tea a couple of conferences ago. Melanie Walker mentioned her belief that Charlotte Mason was influenced by St. Benedict, and some discussion from the audience that agreed with that sentiment ensued when she was closing. I was haunted!

I spent some time that summer reading up on St. Benedict’s life, including the lively biography that Pope Gregory wrote about him. I also picked up a book entitled The Rule of Benedict: Insights For the Ages, which has his rule, and commentary written throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed it all. If Charlotte Mason was not inspired by St. Benedict, she was certainly a kindred spirit! The balance between working with the mind, working with the spirit, and working for productivity, all neatly tied together with the discipline of the schedule is a perfect parallel.

I began thinking about the profound wisdom of Mason’s rotation within her schedule to use different parts of the brain, the short lessons, the challenging materials, the beauty, and the outdoor refreshment. Everything compliments and strengthens the other. I have always appreciated that, but I had never thought about how the balance facilitates all those components into becoming a lifestyle. Think about those things you got excited and gung-ho about. Did they all last? Anything that takes over too much of our time and energy can burn us out or get crowded out by the business of life. The small addition woven into our day and consistency over time produce the same results as a die-hard effort, but with more lasting results. It also leaves room for the other things that shouldn’t get lost by the wayside.

All of this was on the forefront of my mind as I embarked on a new adventure to start a school. My job was not to educate the students, it was to cultivate a lifestyle that could be maintained for the rest of their lives! While building on the foundation of Christ-centeredness and a Charlotte Mason education, there were a couple of areas that I wanted to ensure were not overlooked. Letʼs consider for a moment a few aspects of the Hebrew calendar. Sunset marks the start of each new day. The tone is set with a heart that embraces the arrival of a fresh, new start and the indulgence of sweet rest. Each week also has a Sabbath day which gives regular and consistent rest. How different that is from the over-scheduled lives people tend to keep today! Children are picked up from school exhausted from a day that included little break or playtime and run from one activity to the next, only to face a stack of homework when they get home. Conversely, the healthy boundaries of Charlotte Mason short lessons protect a childʼs much needed recreation and downtime. I made a point to set limits on homework and to have a schedule that has regular weeks off for break.

The Hebrew calendar also has feasts, which are called the “Lordʼs appointed times” or “designated times”. There were scheduled times to celebrate! This is an area that I can easily neglect. Somehow, the recognition of the gravity of responsibility in participating in the education and raising up of each unique child can get weighted down with being overly serious. Life is a delight and is to be enjoyed and savored. So, a long lunch and recesses are included in the day. While that is important, I know that our relationships and atmosphere of our school would be improved if I was more intentional about designating times to just have fun.

With these rhythms of life given proper place and proportion in our childrenʼs lives, I am confident that what is “done” in schooling will become how they live and part of who they are as adults.

© 2010 Tara Schorr