Balance is everything. The entire universe is balanced. We live on a rock that is perfectly balanced on an axis, not too close and not too far away from the sun. Disrupt that balance and chaos ensues. We are made up of trillions of cells that each have their own job. Disrupt that balance and we have chaos again. That should tell us something. If balance is of utmost importance at macro and micro scales, it’s probably just as important for everything in between. But without chaos, we don’t understand the value of order. And vice versa. That last bit of Latin may have thrown you off. How in the world is chaos valuable? Well, without both order and chaos, we can’t understand the value of balance that is clearly a major condition for success in life. That condition is a fine line, so we must dig deep to find it. Easier said than done.
The number of variables for any one problem complicates the art of finding balance. We must understand the full spectrum of variables to facilitate the art. Take growing a specific plant as an example. Wouldn’t it be great to just put one in the ground and watch it flourish? That could of course happen if you by chance plant the perfect species given the environment. But you should probably consider all the variables to ensure optimal growth. What is the optimal pH balance of the soil? What should be the balance of sun and shade for a 24-hour period? At what temperature does the plant thrive? And what is the best level of humidity in the air? How much water should the plant receive for the week? At what point during the year should the plant be pruned? Balance all the above variables separately, then balance the whole picture, and voila, you have a healthy plant.
The chances of all variables perfectly aligning without any considerations are slim. You might have to work at it. Most problems, or opportunities for the optimists, carry the same gravity as a plant. This includes daily life. My son wants to gain weight, specifically muscle weight. He requires different variables for growth than that of the plant, but the number of variables are just as plentiful. How much weight should he gain based on his current size? To meet that goal, how much should he eat compared to how much he expends? And throw metabolism levels into the mix. Speaking of expenditure, how much exercise does he need? Expenditure requires rest, so how much recovery does he need? How much sleep? Which food sources lead to optimal nutrition for muscle gain? How many glasses of water should he drink per day? How much money do I need for food and new clothes compared to other necessities?
Three paragraphs in and I might hold the record for most rhetorical questions in an article. My apologies. But wow! We have to answer so many questions when we are presented with an opportunity. Many answers may be obvious and even subconscious in nature, but now that the questions are on paper, that may not be the case. Attempt to balance all those easy questions at once, and the whole equation is more difficult.
Balance is no different in mindful exercises other than how the results of balance are interpreted. Pick a political issue; perhaps an example from a recent article that broaches the subject of balance. Your view of order and chaos may differ from others, but your balance must be discovered first. Vote for a congressional candidate who seeks that same balance. Can’t find one? Consider a write-in. Don’t settle. Do the same for a presidential candidate. Everyone else with an interest in the prioritized topic should also do the same. Now aggregate all the balances and plot them across the entire spectrum. Finally, find the ultimate balance for the entire nation. If we balance properly, our representatives will arrive at that same balance and vote on our behalf. Progress. This is how democracy works, especially one that is united. A lack of balance will result in stagnation or the wrong direction.
Balance is a complex mental exercise. Seek it in everything that matters to you.