“The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that He, in His goodness, sends to us day after day” (St. Gianna Molla).

The Search for Balance

Finding balance.

I feel like this phrase is everywhere. Whether it’s written on a T-shirt, the title of a self-help book, or the slogan of a yoga studio, balance is highly sought-after. As a 24-year-old professional, I find myself struggling still, even after a year of working a 9-to-5 job, to find the balance between work and the rest of my life. Since getting my first “adult” job after graduating college, I’ve gone through different phases. I’ve experienced periods of time where my life was work-centered and my job took up most of my time. I’ve also found myself in periods when I’ve shifted the balance because I felt exhausted, rediscovered passions, or wanted to spend more time with the people in my life.

What is the right balance? How can you have time to do your work well, cultivate your relationships, and explore your own hobbies and passions—not to mention take care of yourself by eating well and exercising? It’s a struggle.

St. Gianna’s Solution

Thankfully, the saints have been there. St. Gianna Molla, wife, mother, and doctor, is one of the greatest examples of balance you will find. What was her secret? Seeking God’s will in everything.

St. Gianna is known for her last act of saving her unborn child at the expense of her own life. While pregnant with her fourth child, her doctors discovered a tumor on her uterus. Rejecting other treatments, which would have resulted in the death of her unborn baby, she risked her life for the sake of her child. As a physician, Gianna knew the risk she was taking, but she was insistent that her child’s life come before her own. Gianna died a week after delivering her daughter.

Gianna’s final act was the culmination of a holy life. She found a way to give herself to her husband and her children while continuing her work as a physician. She balanced it and sought joy in each moment, thankful for each moment God brought her. She knew what her priorities were and had peace knowing that she gave each part of her life its deserved time.

Gianna always placed Christ first. She habitually attended daily Mass and prayed the rosary each day. She was devoted to her husband and her children and was never too busy to spend time with them. Gianna was also passionate about her work as a pediatrician and loved the opportunity it gave her to serve others—while knowing that her primary vocation was to serve her family.

If you, like me, are struggling with balance, it may be helpful to take some time to pray and meditate on what your priorities should be. What is most important to you? What are your non-negotiables? From there, you can discern what deserves the majority of your time. Personally, my list looks like this:

1. God

2. Relationships

3. Work

4. Hobbies and passions

Keep in mind that finding balance is a constant struggle. When I find myself anxious about not being able to do it all, I have to remind myself of my priorities. I am only capable of so much. I try to remember St. Gianna’s words, “Our task is to live holy in the present moment.”

St. Gianna, pray for us!

Mary Grace Dostalik, born and raised a Texas girl, recently graduated from Benedictine College with a major in evangelization and catechesis. She is a dancer, a writer, and a wanna-be explorer. Mary Grace loves to spend her spare time choreographing dances, going on runs, practicing calligraphy, and searching for the best chai tea latte. She is doing her best to go wherever God calls her, whether it be Oklahoma, Kansas, Ireland, or back to Texas. Mary Grace is currently living her dream of serving the Church by working as the marketing and communications manager at a parish in Frisco, Texas.