Ramblings

The inability to find balance

We all, by the very nature of our existence as humans, are searching for balance between external and internal stimuli. Our existence is like a patch of ground waiting for rain. Not enough rain and we are left barren and nary a seed will grow. Such a place only cultivates hard dirt, cracked and baked by the sun, an emotionless, colorless husk. A downpour is equally dangerous because in such circumstances, the best of us can simply be washed away, lost in the rapids, leaving us destitute without roots or an anchor. The external environment, family, friends, significant others, entertainment etc. is full of distractions we like and think we need. In some cases, such as family, this may be correct to a certain extent. But more often than not, we overindulge and forget that at our core we are thinking beings. Too much rain and we fixate on the outside, on the things we think will make us happy or will at least distract us from some other worry or torment on the inside. But not enough rain and we become lost in our own minds, questing for answers and forgetting that we are simultaneously crying out for validation, love, affection and justification. Its a dangerous path people walk trying to balance these two diametrically opposed ideas. So how does one bring them into balance?

For the two to be in harmony, one must first recognize where the dearths are, where the too much and too little occur, and then seek to remedy those situations. For those hellbent on a life filled with continuous motion, that is to say work, personal interactions, social gatherings, and general type A personalities or so they are called, the old adage "stop and smell the roses" seems pertinent. These people are so constantly in flight from one thing to the next that they miss the glory of the little things, the details. Their minds are so busy focusing on the next appointment, next date, or next item on the checklist that they miss half of their world. And then when for one reason or another things come to a momentary halt, they wonder why they are so lonely. Their solution? Find something else to occupy their time until the next shindig or whatever. But the roses adage is not enough. SUppose the hedge-fund manager does take a pause to try and appreciate the details...how does he/she know how? Do they go to a park? Thats where the other type As go to relax. Do they have a drink and watch a movie? Do they read a book? All are viable options, but I ask you: what will these people get out of the experience? Their minds have been trained, nay honed, to seek out the fastest and most immediate solutions and follow through so they can attack the next problem or issue. Lets leave this person alone for a minute and move over to the introverts, the people who live in their minds, the ones who move slowly and refuse to make lists. These people have no problem seeing the finer details and in fact, they crave them. Examining the minutae, contemplating existence, making connections between dispirate ideas, that is the forte of these people. However, they cannot see the proverbial forest. They miss out on all the benefits of human interaction, the day to day exquisiteness of crossing things off of lists. Take the philosopher who sits alone contemplating life. He is so concerned with the big questions that the little things fall by the wayside: friendships, family, a drink and a smoke. In essence, while endeavoring to discover the keys to human existence, these people miss out on the very reminders of what makes us human.