Lightfocus: Light Stories
When I'm not stressed, the need for balance in my life is perfectly clear.
When I am stressed, nothing is clear. Well, maybe the urge to scream, and the body tension, and the feeling that something better happen, quick, or ugly stuff is going to spill everywhere... all that is fairly clear. That's what "stressed out" feels like, to me.
I prefer feeling balanced, so the thoughts behind this image evolved. The image is a reminder to touch each point of the circle every day.
Incorporating all aspects maintains balance.
Focusing on one aspect to the exclusion of others causes discord, or stress.
The "circle" representation of balance was borrowed from all the cultures and philosophies that have used it before. A circle feels inclusive and describes an ever-moving path.
At the center of the circle is a rose, a symbolic reminder to "Be here, now", wherever one steps on the path. It is also useful as a nudge to remember to smell the flowers!
At the top of the circle is our own Well-Being, both physical and spiritual, in what ever form that means for the individual.
For me it means to make time for exercise. And to find solitary minutes for reflection on this life journey.
Often we are inclined to skip over this part of the circle; we skip meals or eat tons of junk food. We adopt the couch-potato position. We smoke, or drink to excess. We ignore the quest or yearning of our spirit life. Without attention to this aspect of life, our Being-ness languishes and balance is lost.
This area points to the work that gives life meaning; that which we were born to pursue. For some, life's work is included in "job" or "career", although it need not necessarily be.
"What is Life's Work?"
It's that activity that gives meaning to life.
It fulfills the heart's yearning and feels more like play than work.
It involves hands and heart and mind and spirit.
Without it, the center is gone and balance is lost.
The base, the foundation of the circle is Hearth and Home, those elements that provide security and solace in daily life.
Naturally, a foundation crumbles without attention. When the fire in the hearth goes out, life gets cold.
Our home, family, the foundation of our life needs and deserves focus as we walk our daily path.
When the foundation is gone, balance is lost.
In this image, it is a symbol of the "elephant in the room". It's the thing no one talks about but it sure does take up a lot of room in life.
Maybe it is something feared. Or an overwhelming pain or illness. It probably is the immediate source of stress.
"If it is the source of stress, wouldn't you want to chase it away?" That is our usual human response to something we don't want in our life. And that is what created the elephant-sized issue, to begin with.
A particular elephant will shrink in proportion when the issue it represents is addressed, gently and calmly, without exaggerated focus, within the rhythm of life.
Turning and facing the Elephant, speaking about it, looking at it from all directions- those steps taken with care and gentleness will allow discovery of the true nature of what the elephant represents. It may even lead to discovering solutions.
Attending the elephant along the path achieves balance.
Ignore the elephant in the room and balance is lost.
© 2005 Mari Bontrager