Juggling Glass Balls: A New Way to See What Matters Most
We’ve all felt it—life feels like a juggling act. Every new responsibility adds complexity, and sooner or later, no matter how good you are, you will drop a ball. The important question is:
Which balls can be dropped—and which must never fall? A mentor of mine gave me some great insight by sharing another level on this juggling analogy of life.
"The key to juggling is knowing that some balls are made of rubber, and some are made of glass.
If you drop a rubber ball, it bounces—no harm done.
If you drop a glass ball, it shatters."
Understanding which balls are glass and which are rubber is critical to living intentionally.
What Makes a Ball "Glass"?
Glass balls represent the fragile, essential parts of your life—the areas that must be protected.
If dropped, the damage is immediate and often irreversible. These are the priorities that deserve your greatest focus and care.
Meanwhile, rubber balls are tasks and commitments that can afford to fall without lasting harm. They may bounce around with some energy for a while. They may cause minor frustration or disappointment, but they can be picked up later by you or someone else—or not at all.
Examples of Glass Balls
- Your Relationship with Jesus
- Your Family and Close Relationships
- Your Own Well-being
These examples are things that require an intentional focus. We cannot forsake one of these for something of lesser importance. If one of these were to be dropped there would be significant consequences. Jesus helps Martha to prioritize the most important parts of life. A gentle loving reminder that time spent with Jesus supersedes the busy work she had given herself to:
"Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:41-42
Not everything demands equal attention. Some things—like being present with Jesus—matter more.
How to Apply This to Your Life
✅ Prioritize the Glass Balls:
Focus your time, energy, and heart on what truly matters. Identify what cannot be dropped iin your life.
✅ Be Okay Dropping Rubber Balls:
Let go of the "nice-to-haves" without guilt. You can’t—and shouldn’t—catch everything.
✅ Use This Lens for Your Calendar:
Before you commit to something, ask:
- Is this a glass ball or a rubber one?
- What will happen if I drop it?
✅ Follow Jesus' Example:
He led with wisdom, delegated when necessary, and prioritized the truly important things.
✅ Hand Someone Else the Rubber Balls
What might be rubber balls for you could be a priority for someone else.
Final Thought
Living intentionally means accepting that not everything holds equal weight.
Protect the glass balls at all costs—those are the ones that shape your soul, your family, and your future.