I wonder if we can think about guiding lights (see Matthew’s previous post) as a centre point between extremes, as finding a balance. In life we are so often charting the course between one thing and another: between heart and mind, doubt and certainty, freedom and confinement, in-here and out-there.

In most cases neither extreme on its own will serve us well, but the balance between the two is something individual to each of us and varies according to the seasons of our lives. It takes experimentation and reflection to find our balance point on the scale from one extreme to another.

So when finding our sense of balance between heart and mind, for example, we must test things out in the real world and notice the impact on ourselves.

The trouble is that there are so many variables and influences on our lives all at once and that we ourselves are so changeable. When everything is fluid, it’s difficult to locate the points of consistency in ourselves (though that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try).

I’ve been thinking about the balance between forces on our lives - this diagram is the beginnings of trying to make sense of things:

The diagram here is (trying to) make sense of the centre point between:

Intuition —- Factual knowledge

Existing skills —- Room for growth

The external pull from “out there” —- The internal push from “in here”

Risk —-Safety

Mind (thoughts) —- Heart (feelings)

Known —- Unknown

Certainty —- Doubt

Freedom —- Confinement/tension

Good for me —- Good for the world/others

Curiosity —- Comfort

I wonder if it is always important to exist in balance, or whether there are times where we should move to extremes.