I awoke this morning to the terrible devastation caused by the tornados in the south last night. Feeling such sadness for the people and the loss incurred down there, I turned my head and out the window caught a glimpse of the the colorful hyacinths in our spring garden. How is it possible that beauty and color exist next to such dark tragedy within the turn of my head? There had to be a law that allows this.
We have two kinds of laws. Laws of the courts and the laws of science. Laws of the courts can be changed and amended. Laws of science cannot. I think there is much to be learned from the law of physics that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. For example, if we work too much, the need for play will start pushing back against the work. If we exercise too much, the need for rest will start pushing back against the overexertion. If we sit or sleep too much, walking and wakefulness will start pushing back against our sedentary selves. This tells us that we, too, are governed by that simple law of physics. We were meant to live a balanced life and if we go to extremes in any area of our life, opposite forces will begin to press on us.
When we wake up to such devastation like that which filled our news this morning, we must remember that right along side of it good and joyful things are happening to the same number of people. Babies are being born, cancer is being beaten, children are being fed and educated. Devastation is balanced with joy in the world and when our sadness begins to overtake us, we must remember that joy is also filling hearts somewhere.
Examine your day to maintain your balanced life. In everything you do during one day, look at both extremes and you will begin to recognize the significance balance plays in your attitude and overall happiness. Long ago I used to be fanatical about a perfectly clean home and well-maintained yard. I learned that being obsessive in one area of my life, threw the balance off in other areas. By leaving no time for play in my weekend, I’d arrive at Monday tired and moody. On the other hand if I played all weekend and gave no attention to my house and yard, I’d arrive at Monday flustered and disorganized. In either extreme, Monday was adversely affected. I had since learned to balance that scale, and it resulted in an overall calmer lifestyle.
There are so many bad things happening in the world today, that we must remember to search the news, as well as the life right outside our door to not lose sight of all the good things happening, too. In seeking balance in your own life, please do remember to pray for the people in Alabama whose balance has been so cruelly upended in the last twenty four hours, and then take a look outside your own window and give gratitude for the grass in your yard and the new life it represents – even if it is un-mowed.
And so, as another day goes by, a few colorful hyacinths restored balance to my day, and….I have written.
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