Spring arrives here in the Northern Hemisphere in just two days and Fall will arrive in the Southern Hemisphere. This is a special time of year when day and night are in balance. We have just as much light as darkness – the equinox. It is a good time to think about balance in our lives, homes and workspaces. Just as at night we have the stars and the moon to provide light, during the days we have clouds and trees to provide shade. This might remind you of the tai ji symbol, where the black side has a dot of white and the white side has a dot of black. Each swirl is equal and balanced. We should strive to create spaces – both built and personal -in our lives that emulate this symbol.
In our personal lives we must remember to keep a balance between work and our family lives. In our family we need to keep a balance between children and spouse. And between spouses we must also maintain a balance between us and them. When we don’t keep a balanced life we can create illness, depression and lack of joy in the worst case scenario. Being tired all the time, boredom, lack of creativity and purpose can also result from being out of balance.
The built spaces we live and work within can help us or hurt us in maintaining a balanced life. Where is the emphasis in your house? Which areas command the most attention and space? Do they project the type of life you want to envisage? Is your life cluttered with unwanted, broken or no longer useful items? That could be furniture, toys, appliances, piles of magazines and papers, get rid of them. Whatever surrounds you affects your health, your mood, your life.
In your work place you may not have as much choice as at home. But you can still arrange your personal work space for best effect. Keep your work space clean and clear of clutter. If you have a sympathetic boss you might even be able to suggest changes that will help not only you but also the people who work around you. Perhaps the common areas of your job such as the cafeteria or lounge areas can be made more user friendly by small changes of furniture arrangement, color or decoration. You will never know if you don’t ask.
As we enter a new season keep in mind the importance of balance.
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