"It is the nature of time - and humanity - that some things fall by the wayside," Peony said after a moment. One could try to apply one's time and energy to everything at once, but inevitably little would be done in the end if one was pulled in too many directions. "It is the challenge you must set yourself - to discover what is most critical in this moment, so that you may most effectively apply your energy there."
She paused, sipped at her tea, thought. "And your partner?" she asked at last. As unlike Maria as possible, Theodore Finch would no doubt have his own opinion. From what she had seen and been told, Peony thought that in their way they could temper each other and make up for their respective weaknesses. He did not seem of a philosophical bent, as Maria was; although his opinion might not be the correct one, it would give her insight to the situation that she currently lacked. "What are his thoughts on this?"