Today represents the Spring Equinox, the point when we have equal times of daylight and darkness. Many of us pay attention to this day, because we know that the hours of daylight will continue to lengthen and our outdoor activities expand.
As we note this named first day of spring, it is a good time to pause and reflect on the balance in our own lives. “Balance” is literal, our physical balance of standing, walking, striving for good posture and alignment; balance is how we spend our time in the mix of work, family, friends, volunteering, and taking care of ourselves; balance is having times of noise and times of silence; balance is being very active and also taking time to rest; balance is completing tasks while reviewing broader goals for our future; balance is mindfully focusing on both the yin and yang of our lives.
A major aspect of Tai Chi is to focus our minds on shifting our weight forward, then backward, flowing from yang to yin and back to yang. We are always gathering or delivering energy. We are enjoying the gentle, flowing movements, trying to be in tune and in balance with the Spring Equinox, equal time of light, (yang) with an equal time of dark (yin). We not only pause to reflect on the balance is our lives, we relax and try to live it.