ON or OFF BALANCE
Saturday, October 2, 2021
We are thrown off-balance during any time of tumult in our lives – personal disruptions, national disasters, global recessions, pandemics, etc.
We zig and zag, working our way back toward balance.
Economists and political leaders use these terms too, but they’ve not tried to balance a household budget in a very long time. The economist who factors in the cost of milk in the economy doesn’t buy milk. The financial analyst who breaks down the economics of the oil industry has never worked on a rig or changed the oil of their car.
We are all a little off balance right now, and the return to equilibrium seems still well out of sight …
It doesn’t seem to matter who it is, off-balance and off our game, is where most of us are today – not wholly comfortable in describing where we’ve been, where we’re headed, but on balance, feeling we are OK while also knowing things are far from OK in our lives and in our community.
On balance, I am far less supportive of my government and its institutions than I’ve been in a long time – but I would sure like them to show some consistency at least … and soon!
So often, when people are speaking, the phrase on balance is often used – usually to bring together disparate facts that are taken together or on balance, drive us toward a decision, our conclusion or consensus that is probable or most likely. Or it can be about compromise.
I’ve encountered people behaving in ways I don’t like recently. Not more than usual, but I’ve reacted more stridently than usual …
I’m clear, but clearly, not everyone is – and I don’t know if I have the energy to set them all straight, so maybe the one who needs setting straight is me. I don’t think that’s the case – but in the interest of keeping things non-confrontational and on the balance of probabilities, I’ll see some things the other way more often. I think. Maybe. Maybe not. This balance thing isn’t so easy …
Did you catch the Mayoral Candidates forum? If you missed it, see it on YouTube - Your Vote Matters! ... 20 Mayor Candidates addressing issues impacting older Calgarians - a collaborative project presented by THIRD ACTion Film Festival and Kerby Centre
Reader feedback:
And, for some, the gift of growing older is denied . . ., SB, Calgary, AB
Arrgh!, DP, Calgary, AB
Very clever, Mark .. “it depends”…., BR, Calgary, AB