Watercolor by Nancy Wait 1987

The other day I posted a painting on Tiferet Journal representing sort of the ultimate in balance. I called the picture Portal because I have found that when I am in perfect harmony – or as close as I can get to it, another door seems to open. It’s like I have to come into complete harmony and balance with something in order to be ready to move onto the next level, the next thing. In other words, being in balance with myself and the world around me, even if it’s only my apartment – or a room in my apartment, clears the way for the next step. And there’s always a next step. 

Today, however, I am seeing the importance of being off balance from time to time. When I am off balance I tend to see with new eyes. I tend to see things fresh.

I used to become very unbalanced when I fell in love or become fascinated with someone. My whole being felt upended. I hardly knew who I was anymore, and sometimes I struggled to think where I was. This was understandable, as strong emotions have always sent me into another realm.

I am thinking about this now because the other day I became obsessed with – a gadget! I didn’t want to go to sleep until I figured out how to use it. 

Staying up all night or not getting enough sleep, straying from my ‘healthy’ routines, upsetting my status quo – these are the things that can put me off balance. But sometimes this is good! Eating dinner in the morning instead of breakfast – anything to mess up the schedule. Because it’s when I’m off balance that I make new discoveries. A little more light might filter in from unexpected places. I know from experience there’s a price to pay if I stray too far, but with the passing years I seem to have grasped that law.

Nowadays, I take care to make sure everything is in order before I retire for the night. I put things away and hang up my clothes, don’t leave dishes in the sink, make sure the cats have full bowls of food. Because how do I know how long I’ll be gone? How do I know where I’ll take off to? And how do I know who I’ll be in the morning – or if I will even be the same person? Because tomorrow – what is that? 

These are perhaps the things someone does who is a little unbalanced – and knows it. But I know from experience that when my psyche – my soul – thinks it’s time to move to another level, it will put something in my way. Love, or maybe only a new gadget, but I will have to change somehow – and find a new balance – to accommodate this new thing. And that’s why it’s good.

This painting, Balancing in the Moonlight, is for sale on my art website or as prints or cards. LINK