Living Balanced in Unbalanced Times
For the next few weeks, I will focus on balance in my article because balance in life at this time in history is getting complicated.
Have you noticed it? Have you noticed how people and countries generally split into two extremes? You have the far left at one end of the bell-shaped curve and the far right at the other. It’s almost like the middle of the curve, where most people are, is non-existent. Of course, the extreme left thinks it is in the middle of the curve, and the extreme right thinks it is in the middle of the curve. That’s what you think and feel when you are living in the extremes of the end of the bell-shaped curve, and you don’t know it.
The outcome is an upside-down bell-shaped curve, with most people on the bottom of the curve, trying to keep the extremes in check. The result is cultures, countries, cities, and communities rocking back and forth from extreme to extreme as the extremes battle each other, demanding that everyone be just as extreme as they are. How did we get here? For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Well-intended things, taken to extremes, become ill-fated things. Big dreams, taken to extremes, often become nightmares because of a lack of balance in the dreamer.
Patti Smith says, “In art and dreams, may you proceed with abandon. In life, you may proceed with balance and stealth.” In other words, dream big, but live balanced, and you’ll have a better chance of achieving your big dream and still be at peace with others and yourself. Think about this. “There is a fine line between stubbornness and stupidity as well as intensity and insanity.” —Brittany Burgunder. The key to keeping your balance is knowing when you have lost it. Bertrand Russell says, “When conscious activity is wholly concentrated on (only) one definite purpose, the ultimate result, for most people, is lack of balance accompanied by some form of nervous disorder.” Hello?
The problem with extremes is that the extremes get more extreme as time passes, which is highly problematic. I recall my conversations with some of my friends. They were saying, “I hate Rush Limbaugh.” My response was why do you hate Rush? People like you created him. Their response was always the same, “How did I create him.”
I said, “Well, mainline media in America and the world has been increasingly skewed to the left for a long time. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. So, along comes Rush Limbaugh, who brings some balance to the equation. Of course, this infuriates both sides, which causes both sides to become even more extreme. Trent Reznor enlightens us about living out of balance. “Balance is good because one extreme or another leads to misery, and I’ve spent much of my life at one of those extremes.”
So, because God, who is just and fair, knows we humans tend to push the limits of decency and civility to the extreme, keeps watch over the weights and balances of us humans.
Proverbs 16:11 says this. “Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of God’s making.” Proverbs 16:11. Do you see that? God created for every action, there is an equal reaction. In God's timing, when a scale is tipped by corruption or unjust weights, God's finger pushes down on the other side, bringing balance. All the balances are of God’s making.
Proverbs 20:23 says, “Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, and a false scale is not good. The Lord hates double standards— that's hypocrisy at its worst!” Many translations say, “God hates an unjust balance.” God desires balance in life so that chaos doesn’t destroy us all.
So, in the next few weeks, let’s go and grow forward, not backward. Growth is stepping over the things you used to trip on. Let’s learn some secrets about blending something you are passionate about with the incredible ally of balance working for you and with you. Here are some other quotes about balance that give us a clearer picture of a more biblical (not ethereal) approach to balance.
"The major work of the world has not been done by geniuses. Ordinary people have done it with balance in their lives, who have learned to work in an extraordinary manner." Gordon Hinckley. "If you restore balance in yourself, you will contribute immensely to the world's healing.” Deepak Chopra. “Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls – family, health, friends, integrity – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered.” Gary W. Keller.
“You will never feel truly satisfied with work until you are satisfied by life.” Heather Schuck. “Character in leadership is the most important balance for leadership. Without character, leaders have no safety. Leadership has no protection without character.” Myles Munroe. “Life is the balance of holding on and letting go.” Rumi.
Here’s one final balance thought from James Clear. “There are at least four types of wealth: 1. Financial wealth (money), 2. Social wealth (status), 3. Time wealth (freedom), and 4. Physical wealth (health). Be wary of jobs that lure you in with 1 and 2 but rob you of 3 and 4.”
But wait, there’s more next week.
Ed Delph/July 15, 2024/CCC Part 1