On Finding Balance
Switzerland…
By Cara Chang Mutert
I just celebrated my birthday :) And like so many of my fall friends born in the very popular birth months of September/October, I am a Libra. Depicted as the scales, the sign inherently suggests balance, harmony and equality. Whether in fun or as way to see ourselves through a different lens, I’ve found I pretty much fit the bill. My whole life, I’ve been drawn to things that feel peaceful, and places that emit an effortless, innate sense of balance.
In my personal efforts to stay in balance of late, I’m quite sure that many of my Libra brothers and sisters are struggling with what we see is happening in our cities, country, and world. Things are clearly out of balance. While many of the powers that be seem to be driven to bring things back into their idea of balance, it’s key to remember that the tactics used to do so could be done in a way that’s kind or cruel, compassionate or mindless.
I think balance comes from understanding, and/or a willingness to consider it. What might it be like to walk in the path of others? What might it feel like to be that other person? What might it have been like to have lived your whole life in search of safety and security for yourself and your children?
As lucky as I am to have been born an American, with all the comforts, opportunities, and security that come along with it, I still can identify with what it might feel like to have lived without it. Raised by immigrants, I was frequently reminded by my parents that America is the best country to live in the world.
American patriots of another time, my parents knew from experience and made their choice to live and raise their family here in this beautiful land of freedom and opportunity. Knowing what they endured to be here, I’m never forgetful of their sacrifices and am always grateful to them.
Like finding balance in a pose as well as in our lives, finding balance in our opinions and judgement of others is an ongoing effort that can shift with each breath. It’s not a static state that ends with a solidified rigid position. Both physical and mental balance is moveable and malleable, requiring softness, fluidity, and openness as well as stability, focus, and strength.
If we can begin to apply the idea of balance as a natural state, like an old-growth tree that still bends with the wind and yet stays stable and grounded in its roots of existence, this just might help us all live in a more balanced mind state, allowing us to move through the outer world with more fewer ups and downs, less anger, less fear, and ultimately, less division and separation.
It is during these times of deep confusion, strong opinions, feelings of powerlessness and often hopelessness that provide us with more opportunities to look inward. To examine what we think and why. To dissect the personal patterns and cultural norms that lead to your position. And then weigh whether these opinions, positions, and feelings are still relevant? If so, how could communicating and acting on them be handled differently, more intelligently? With more integrity and compassion? And more productively?
I believe this approach can work individually, in your relationship with yourself and others, with those you agree with and disagree with. Ideally, one small step within yourself may result in another, and that might just trickle outward.
Ultimately, it begins with you. It begins with us. Together. In Union.