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It is very important to maintaining our balance. This is especially true when we working on the edge of our knowledge/experience. On the edge is where we can learn the most but it also can be an area where we have not yet found our balance.

So maintaining our perspective can be finding that balance that moves us toward our highest good at this time. Note that balance involves two opposites. Here are some opposites to consider for maintaining balance (by no means a complete list):

Complex/Simple - Things can appear very complex or very simple. Sometimes things that appear very complex can be simplified or made more understandable by breaking things down into smaller pieces (for example, breaking a process into a series of small steps). This can be very powerful (and it is something we seek to do in creating this workshop). However, things can be lost in making the complex simple. So we must be careful not to over simplify.

Ours/Others - What is ours to do and what is ours to accept? Much of what we encounter in life is not ours to do. So we need to accept most things as they appear. However, accepting everything is an oversimplification. It is our experience that we are called upon to make a difference in the world. So there are times and places where we are called to action.

Human Beings/Spiritual Beings - We are both human and spiritual at the same time. To focus on one and neglect the other is a mistake. It has been said that this is a difference between Eastern and Western culture. In the East, many neglect body comfort and exalt the spiritual. As a result, many live in pain and suffering. In the West, we have exalted physical comfort, but forgotten the spiritual. It is good to remember that the Buddha tried the opposites, between all creature comforts (he was a Prince) to abusing the body, before he found a balance and reached enlightenment.

Under/Over Valuing - We are called on to find what is for our highest good. However, we give value according to our perspective. These can combine to cause us to under or over value something. Often we do this unconsciously. A good step is to be conscious of this process. For example, we can value something because of its source: if something comes from channeling or from a guide, people can see this as extremely valuable. However, there is a wide range in channeling and in guides as well as in where we are. So it is good to look for what is the highest good for us, rather than give information value just due to its source. Of course, intuition and experience can really help in this process. Another example is that in our Western culture, we often value things because they are costly in terms of dollars. However, they may not be useful for us. In fact, they may be a distraction and direct our attention away from what is useful.

Right/Wrong Timing - Whether something is valuable for us or not, can depend on the timing, usually, our timing. There is good in everything but that good may not be useful to us at the time.

Logic/Passion - While logic can help us find the steps to reach a goal, passion can provide the energy to complete the steps. Where passion can provide clues to unconscious needs, it can lead us astray in how to meet them. While logic can help us meet needs, it can lead us astray as to what our needs are.

Suspicious/Open - There is an old saying: If something seems too good to be true, it usually is. However, keeping an open mind can be critical to one's path in life.

Fear/Caution - While fear can prevent us from harm, it can also prevent us from taking important steps. Fear is valuable to help us take precautions or to encourage us to check our intuition. If fear is preventing us from doing something important, it is valuable to step back and evaluate the situation. Fear can lead to caution to help us be safe. However, it can also keep us from the magic in life.

Little/Big Picture - Just as it is possible to get caught in the details, so it is possible to be overwhelmed by the big picture. An old saying is that we can win the battle, but lose the war. For those who are good with talking things one step at a time, it is good to step back from time to time and look at the bigger picture. For those who see the big picture, it is good to zoom in and focus on what part of it they can do. This is one of many areas where people with opposite perspectives can work together to form a good team.

Easy/Difficult - While there are times to Go with the Flow. There are also times to go against the flow. If one always takes the easy path while climbing a mountain, they will end up at the bottom rather than the top. The level of difficulty is a result of a decision, and something to consider, but usually not the best way to make a decision. Rejoice when things are easy and preserver when things are difficult.

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