Equilibrium

Equilibrium is defined as:

1. A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.
2. A state of physical balance.

I’d like to think that my own take on the word is simply “a state of total balance between all external and internal forces.”  I don’t think many people strive for equilibrium, but instead they aim for perfection in certain areas of their lives. The perfect home, the perfect husband, the perfect friend, the perfect job, the perfect body. 

Perfection is not impossible, just not sustainable. If it occurs, it may last for a mere second, a minute, a year or a decade; but I do believe that perfection (or the perception of it) can be achieved. However, in order to reach such a level of mastery, there will be sacrifices and compromises made in other parts of one’s life.

The whole point of equilibrium is that we accept that we cannot have perfection in all areas of our lives, so we must strive for the perfect balance between these areas instead.

For example, my personal philosophy is to look at the “triangle of needs” (I just made this corny term up). The three needs are: health, wealth and relationships.

Every now and then I’ll quickly give myself a grade from A-F for each of those areas, and assess which areas may need work.

For example, a millionaire with a loving network of family and friends, yet also cirrhosis of the liver (caused by excessive alcoholic consumption), could score themselves: health (D), wealth (A), relationships (B).

From the outside, people may envy the millionaire’s financial wealth and lavish lifestyle, and think he has it all. But there is a clear imbalance, as his liver is close to packing it in. 

My belief is, if we can achieve and maintain an average of grade B in all areas we would all be very happy. 

Disclaimer: the beauty of this is that everyone will have different perceptions of what is optimum health, good wealth and good relationships. A man who has recently saved $100 may grade his wealth “B”, an overweight woman who has lost ten pounds in the last month may grade her health (A) etc.

Equilibrium is happiness.