A Sense of Balance

Our modern world is so plagued with insecurity – emotionally, economically, politically; locally and globally. There is unrest in many areas of the world. Criminality is on the rise, and criminals have become more daring.

The human race is increasingly willing to exchange its moral convictions for little comforts and conveniences. People are veering their faith, away from God and towards man-made technologies. We dizzy ourselves with all these new technological innovations and the change that these cause in our lifestyles.

We are becoming more and more materialistic, and less and less spiritual. In the process, we have become dreadfully suspicious of one another, because we no longer believe in the ultimate human goodness. We have detached ourselves from the most reassuring human quality. And such sad disconnection leaves us frightened.

Fortunately, we have the innate capacity to stand up to this runaway change and confusion in our midst. We need only to make the effort to regain our sense of balance, our poise, level-headedness, good sense and moral strength.

We need to remember that there is something deeper about us than our listless, modern ways. We need to reclaim our spiritual heritage – to be constantly reminded that this physical existence is just mere clothing to our true identity.

It is written that our ultimate destiny is a much better place, much better than we can ever imagine. But it takes knowing the Way, to be able to go back home to that place where we eternally belong.  All the prophets and sages of old and the holy men and women of our time are one in saying that if only we can have even just a quick glimpse of that glorious place, all these worldly woes that overwhelm us now will seem light – and our craving for transitory delights and popular esteem will diminish.

In the end, no treachery is so painful, no criticism so insulting, no challenge so daunting, no loss so heartbreaking and no malady so deadly. In fact, the enlightened ones among us say that the more of these miseries we have now, the more satisfying our final victory will be. As we step over to the other side, it may come clear to us that we each had been given just what we deserved or just enough that we could stand.

With a healthy sense of balance, we can get everything back in stride. It won’t be simple self-confidence gained, but God’s grace resumed. We’ll be given back what we again deserve.

My prayer every day is for all the trials, the tests as well as the blessings that may come my way to embolden me and not break me. That my gains will not bloat my ego, that my losses will not crush my spirit. And that I may see more good examples in those around me, those whose tenacity and gentleness of character I can draw from, to boost my own capacity to face anything.