Balance is important to me. If something is out of kilter in my life I can feel it strongly; whether it’s too little time studying, or too much time alone, or not enough time with my family, the lack of balance seems to affect the way I feel about the world.
When that happens, I know I have to take action to fix it before I topple over, metaphorically speaking – I have to act before it affects my life in a negative way.
This picture was taken in a slightly damp field in Cornwall. It is the centre stone of a group called Men-an-tol, around which many myths have grown of special properties and powers. Like so many of these sites, it stands in a quiet spot, alongside cattle and a great deal of greenery. There is no pomp and ceremony to it; it is a part of the landscape that pre-dates much of the world around it.
It’s also a reminder that anything can find balance, if it has the right tools. In this case, a strong foundation was needed. In my case, there’s a web of inter-connected points – writing, family, friends, reading, studying, alone-time, working, cooking and so on – that all need to be given the appropriate level of attention.
It took me a long time to realise the importance of balance in my life; it seemed such a small thing to have such a big impact on my outlook. But it does make a difference to the way I perceive the world, and my own role within it. When I am out of kilter, my thoughts get blocked up.
Blocked up thoughts are bad for a writer, but they are also bad for anyone trying to get the most out of life.
So I’m going to put this picture up on a wall somewhere and remind myself that seeking balance is about making my life the best it can be.
Maybe these stones do have special properties, after all…
Happy writing,
EJ
🙂