Balance is More than a Tightrope Act

     Like many things in life,” balance” is important; maybe the most important part. To “lose” balance may mean the inability of a living body to “correct” itself (its physical position) to its environment, a medical condition. Or it may mean an inability to accomplish a task that was once easy to accomplish; to lose one’s mojo, to coin a popular (or once popular?) phrase. Regardless of the situation balance is integral to nature, to include the human condition.

     When I think of balance in nature, I think of a habitat’s ability to sustain a certain population of, let’s say, deer. If resources, such as food, water, and shelter, are not available in sufficient quantities, the population decreases, either from death or movement to another habitat. The population decrease is a result of nature putting things (the habitat) back into balance. Other factors that affect the population and help “effect” balance are disease and predators.

     “Disease” and “predator;” these two words may be the most common in the printed and broadcast media. In the human condition these words, justifiably, instill fear and unknowns. They aren’t pretty words, for sure; however, war, crime, bullying, and disease have always played an important part in human history; humankind has been confronted with them from day one.

     Today, humankind exerts extreme efforts to confront war, crime, bullying, and disease. The trade balance, the balance of powers, nuclear parity, the United Nations WHO, militarized police forces, social and educational programs, etc., describe attempts to “correct” the world or what some scientists and strategists refer to as “changing the big picture.”

     But how can that part of the world that affects us as individuals (the small picture or our own little worlds) be corrected and brought into balance? To be sure, if we can’t balance our own lives, we can’t expect to help balance the world. A prescription to my fellow humans would be "pursue a full and abundant life." To echo a Catholic priest and a pediatrician, both whom I have met in my life’s travel, respectively, “while you’re counting the days of your life, make each day count,” and, “life is a gift; pass it on.”

      While you are thinking about making each day count, don’t think living a full and abundant life means working tirelessly and having plenty of money and things. Instead, consider thinking of improving your knowledge or education, hobbies and interests, and physical health as “abundancy.” Think of self-dependency, family, helping others, and enjoying God’s handiwork and special gift as “filling or fulfilling.” Consider all the things in life you have never taken time to consider. Lastly, and most importantly, put all these thoughts and considerations into action.

     Over a lifetime’s run we will undoubtedly encounter challenges to our personal balances. Attempts to maintain balance may seem like a circus of different acts. I think, however, focusing on living a full and abundant life to balance our lives will be more fun than doing a tightrope act.