On this equinox, let us take a moment to reflect on the importance of balance and harmony in our lives. As the seasons change, so too must we be flexible and adaptable in order to maintain balance and harmony within ourselves and with the world around us.
Heraclitus famously said that “everything flows” and that “change is the only constant.” He believed that the universe is in a state of constant flux, and that we must be flexible and adaptable in order to maintain balance and harmony in our lives.
Temperance requires self-control, and moderation requires us to choose to avoid extremes, even when there is abundance to enjoy. Abundance seldom lasts, and when we overindulge, the following lack will feel more extreme. Most of the time, extremes come with negative side effects, and they are seldom beneficial when totally absorbed.
The counterargument, of course, is that by never going to extremes, we limit our experience. I have always argued that the golden mean is our protection. If 100% is the extreme, then the extreme we can comfortably handle is 68% of the 100%. This is the golden mean rule I have put in place for myself. It requires a measure of mindfulness and wisdom to assess in various life situations where the golden mean extreme is.
In addition, it works with the rule of polarity, which states that we must not have the light without the shadow, the positive without the negative. We must have the flexibility and agility to flow freely between these two extremes of +68% and -68% extreme points. The rule of balance is not to get stuck in perpetual balance, but to always be balancing. Our state of balancing must be in harmony with the environment.
Abraham Maslow, the American humanist psychologist, wrote on the importance of self-actualization, which he defined as the realization of one’s full potential. He believed that we must achieve a balance between our needs and our values in order to self-actualize.
I encourage you to take some time today to reflect on your own life and identify areas where you can achieve greater balance and harmony. What are your needs and values? What are your strengths and weaknesses? How can you live a more balanced and harmonious life?
Remember, balance and harmony are not destinations, but rather journeys. It’s important to be patient and kind to yourself as you work towards achieving them.
© Jurgens Pieterse, 2023, All rights reserved
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