There has been plenty of exploration and thought about Balance within a work of Art, a piece of Music, writing, or a visual display.
Artists strive to achieve the perfect balance in their creations, both in work and every moment of life - usually trying to change something around them ; shuffle it around somehow to 'better it', remove, or add something.
Rarely do we give this much thought to the inner balance of the creator and its' importance, or relevance. On the contrary, there is the idea that an artist is rarely (if ever) in balance, and suffers in order to create to their potential.
We expect of ourselves a huge amount, often without putting in the effort to learn ourselves better and how to access our inner resources.
How do we know when we are doing too much or not doing enough, and how do we know when we are doing it in balance?
For me, as an emotional and far from "moderate" acting individual in life (if there is even such a thing) who has often explored and felt at home in extremities ; I see Balance as a state of equilibrium of being in which many parts constantly oscillate as part of the whole. These parts move in varying speeds and forces from moment to moment, and the state of balance is a new discovery each moment, existing within the finesse of a thin string, a great sensitivity and awareness.
Perhaps balance lies in the finest point of equilibrium, the sweet spot between discipline and flow, between the controlled and the wild, it holds within it all extremities in harmony. As John Ruskin said, it is an arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design); "in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance"
The dignity of the artist lies in his duty of keeping awake the sense of wonder in the world. In this long vigil he often has to vary his methods of stimulation; but in this long vigil he is also himself striving against a continual tendency to sleep.
Artist Marc Chagall
Accepting emotions, sensations, and all things we deem as undesirable is an important helper to attuning to ourselves and finding our own unique balance. Can we learn to be open to the messages, signs or changes our body and mind are signalling to us? If we are able to listen to those messages without clinging to our previous ideas/notions or beliefs and be present with ourselves, we may be able redefine our meaning for personal Balance.
What are your thoughts and feelings about Balance? I invite you to have a ponder about it, and see what your inner response tells you. I would love to hear your thoughts and comments on this theme, so feel free to drop a few words below.
Yours in Balance,
Nika