Is this time I spend reading the sports page all about football?  Nope.  It’s about doing something beyond my work to help keep myself refueled and balanced.  I’ve had to re-learn this over and over as I can get way too focused on my ministry role.  When I do this, I take time and attention away from myself, my family and, more importantly, my faith.  I get imbalanced and that leads to frustration, ineffectiveness, lack of creativity and lots of other things that no leader wants to be characterized by. 

It’s not the only thing I do to stay balanced…I go camping with my boys, read, ride my mountain bike, make time alone with my wife…but it’s what I give myself permission to do when the Chargers win. 

What do you give yourself permission to do that keeps you refreshed, energized and balanced?