Ever feel like something is just off balance?  You experience something and say, “That’s not right.”  I think a lot about Balance because it’s a state of being we strive for.  However, every so often we experience something leaving us just out of whack.  I guess it’s why chiropractors have such thriving practices, we’re all trying to get back to a state of balance.

When facing a chronic or life-threatening Illness the first thing out of whack is our sense of “what’s supposed to be.”  We live in a world, some may call it fantasy, that everything is going to be perfect.  The idea of obstacles or challenges often until we face them are not a consideration.

The idea of an illness is confusing.  We think we were in balance before the diagnosis.  I can’t tell you how many people I’ve spoken to tell me how out-of-balance their life was before the diagnosis.  

I remember an episode of “Oprah” where she and her guest were discussing the messages sent to us.  They said the first Message comes at a whisper.  If we don’t listen, the next message comes louder.  Eventually, if we ignore the messages long enough, they scream at us, and that’s often the diagnosis.

Earlier this year, along with other health challenges I was experiencing very high blood pressure.  The doctor asked what I wanted to do.  I thought it was considerate because not everyone wants to start a medication they’ll be on forever.  I told her my family has a history of strokes; the medication is the step to avoid (hopefully) a catastrophic incident.  Fortunately, she agreed. After all, what’s one more pill.

What do you believe creates balance in your life?  How do you want to even out the scales once the shock of a diagnosis is faced?  When you’ve reached a place of understanding and compassion for you heart and soul, what will allow you to stand literally and figuratively in balance?

For more art and prompts (I’ve posted over 1,000 collages) follow me on Instagram/Threads: @drfiber

For commentary on the art go to www.manofthecloth.wordpress.com