Life Balance LLP

23/07/2025

Change is inevitable—but growth is a choice.

With over 30 years of experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine and a deep study of Chinese philosophy, I’ve long been captivated by the power of mind–body connection. What shapes our well‑being—our upbringing, personality, neurological wiring? How do we perform under pressure, and what helps us heal and growth.

After completing two immersive years of study in psychology and neurology, I founded www.bouncebackwithina.com to guide individuals facing personal and career transitions. Maybe you feel stuck, uncertain about the next step, or want deeper insight into your personality and the beliefs holding you back. Even one session can help reframe a troubling thought or illuminate a limiting pattern.

If you're seeking a safe, supportive space to reflect and grow—especially around relationships, family, or career decisions—I'd love to support you. Learn more or book a session at www.bouncebackwithina.com

Meanwhile, my TCM practice continues at www.lifebalance.com.sg , where I offer holistic care across life’s key stages — fertility, pregnancy, birth, menopause — and teach baby massage.

03/03/2025

6 Minutes to Thrive in a ‘Changed’ World (part 17)
(Continuation of ‘6 Minutes to Complete Health’)

In a world so full of discord, it might be worthwhile investigating the deeper meaning, even the cause of it. Naturally, billions of humans cannot be of the same opinion – in fact, it seems that not even two people can often agree on something; isn’t that the beauty of the tremendous diversity of humankind?
Different cultures, circumstances, religions, beliefs, upbringing, experiences, just to name a few. Combine this with the vast differences between moral values, economic backgrounds, and family structures…. all resulting in the colorful patchwork carpet known as the world population.

Unfortunately, most arguments circle around the notion of one party being right, automatically rendering the other party wrong – which always carries the potential of developing into a heated quarrel. However, there is seldom a clear, neutral right or wrong as the conviction of being right or wrong is shaped by nothing else than our perception of a situation.

So, what creates our perception?

The word perception is derived from the Latin word ‘perceptio’ which can be loosely translated with ‘gathering and receiving’. Receiving signals going through our nervous system, perception relies on our cognitive functions to process information. Combining these with earlier experiences, or specific memories enables us to respond to environmental stimuli.

Naturally, a different perception will result in a completely different response to a situation. Although we can mentally accept the fact that incompatible points of view create a different attitude to the ‘object of dispute’, deep down we often feel that our way is the right one. Subsequently, we get more and more into tunnel vision, insisting, trying to ‘prove’ our point – instead of stepping away from the fallacy that there can only be one truth.

While both ‘arguing’ and ‘quarreling’ involve disagreement, arguing’ suggests a more reasoned discussion where people present their viewpoints intending to reach a conclusion. ‘Quarreling’ often implies an emotionally charged, even angry exchange, aimed at winning the argument rather than finding common ground.

This is where mediators will come in, a neutral person, impartial to the result of the dispute, attempting to investigate the deeper issue, and trying to find a compromise.

Questions like ‘What is this argument about? How does it make the other party feel? What is each one’s understanding of the issue? What is their aim in this dispute? Will guide the opponents away from their ego-focused perception towards a wider view of the issue?'

Whatever we call it, at the core of a quarrel lies the feeling of being misunderstood, not being appreciated, not being validated, which often originates from childhood. Not being validated is one of the most damaging experiences. Validation of the other party’s viewpoint does not mean agreeing or condoning; it only signals ‘I can understand your point, even though I don’t agree.’

The renowned author Dain Heer coined the wise sentence, ‘Interesting point of view – I have a different point of view’. Note – it does not say ’…..but I have a different point of view’ which would indicate separation, even judgment. Instead, it expresses the existence of two different viewpoints, both valuable and possibly correct.

Nowhere can this discrepancy be seen more clearly than in politics, where the insistence of being right is paired with the greed for power. Just like in a family dispute, business argument or a divorce procedure, a mediator could assist in reaching a compromise.

However, this is rarely seen as the thirst for control and supremacy seems to be insatiable, a compromise is usually not desired as it is considered a sign of weakness.

What lies below the reckless avarice of people, politicians, even states? We all know that there is one Earth only. We all know that Earth has enough resources to feed us all – if evenly distributed. Every day, we witness nature growing, flourishing, dying, renewing itself in an endless cycle – irrespective of wars, arguments, and catastrophes.

Shouldn’t that relentless and seemingly effortless desire for unperturbed renewal give us confidence, assurance and trust in a ‘higher order’?

What is at the bottom of it all, the arguments, the need to be right, the thirst for power? Is it fear? The fear of being separated from Source, the fear of being ‘abandoned’? This question can only be answered individually – however, studies throughout ages, genders, and ethnicities have shown that fear – the opposite of love – seems to be the primal emotion that unites us all.

As always, to change the outward circumstances we must look at our inward perception and our way of action. There are numerous articles and tips on the ‘right way’ to argue to prevent quarreling.

So, going back to basics, we could just stop for a moment and ponder our first spontaneous thought before responding. What is my view of the situation? Did it really happen that way – or is it possible to discover another angle?

By listening carefully to the objective content of the issue, and questioning our perception, we could nip any escalation in the bud. Validating first the other person’s view in a non-judgmental view might open the door to more understanding and the revelation that rarely one person is right, creating a new platform for a compromise.

To learn about a drastically different form of ‘arguing’ a Tibetan monastic debate is fascinating to watch and extremely enlightening. These debates – while serious in their deeper meaning – can almost appear entertaining. In fact, they form a social activity to help monks develop their intellect and spiritual path.

With dramatic clapping and stomping feet, the debates could be viewed as emotionally charged. But, on the contrary, every gesture holds a different spiritual meaning, accentuating the question, with the purpose of stimulating the other party's thinking.

Subsequently, critical thinking is developed to defeat misconceptions and assist emotional regulation.

Perhaps, in our everyday world, we can train ourselves in the same way – develop a less ego-focused view of things, take a deep breath before responding, and go into validation. That way, we will create a more peaceful discussion and a more satisfying outcome for everybody.

Stay safe!

Ina

https://www.lifebalance.com.sg

Copyright © 2025 Life Balance LLP. All rights reserved.

31/12/2024

To all my friends and clients - thank you so much for the many birthday greetings which really made my day!
At the same time I would like to thank everybody for their support during the past year - highly appreciated.
Have a Happy, Healthy and hopefully more peaceful New Year -
with lots of love...Ina

Send a message to learn more

30/12/2024

6 Minutes to Thrive in a ‘Changed’ World (part 16)

(Continuation of ‘6 Minutes to Complete Health’)

Do you feel grateful or appreciative?

What better time to ponder the difference between gratitude and appreciation than at the end of another tumultuous year.
So often, we hear the advice ‘you should be grateful for what you were given, for the new job, your kids, for being alive, for peace’…the list can be endless. And we usually respond with ‘yes, I am’ – often followed by the word ‘but’ expressing some other, additional expectation. Amidst all the complaining about how he or she or it could be or could have been, we do feel a faint sense of thankfulness, knowing that, comparatively, life has treated us well.

We watch the news while sipping a glass of wine, becoming a bit ashamed of our ungratefulness, insensitivity, lack of appreciation. Still, there always seems to be some nagging desire for something else, something more – more spectacular, we don’t even know what; we just feel this lingering dissatisfaction, often created and enhanced by comparing ourselves with others.

This feeling can become strong as we constantly focus on what we don’t have, becoming blind to the riches in our life, blocking any feeling of gratitude. Tools like writing a ‘gratitude journal’ or doing a ‘gratitude walk’ help us to become aware of what we have been given – often without any action from our side - raising our inner vibration towards a feeling of thankfulness – or is it appreciation?
So, is there any difference between the two? Does one include or even necessitate the other?

Gratitude is inherently self-oriented. It revolves around what an individual has received or gained, a gift, a meal, an unexpected bunch of flowers, or a call from a friend. Furthermore, gratitude tends to be a more spontaneous reaction to a usually short-term positive experience. In almost any culture, children are taught to say, ‘thank you’, once they receive a gift or are just given a drink. Do they really feel gratitude? Or is it just lip service, a trained response, a spontaneous reaction to a momentarily positive experience or circumstance? What does a person feel inside when expressing thankfulness?

Appreciation seems to be more related to an inner attitude, lingering in our mind, showing in our behavior. Different to a mere verbal expression of thanks, it stems from the recognition of a valuable act of somebody, or a favorable situation we are allowed to experience. Without even the necessity of repeatedly saying thank you, appreciation is an expression of inner recognition directed towards others. It involves valuing their qualities, actions, or contributions of someone else, being deeply connected to respect.

While it requires communication, whether verbal or through actions, to convey the recognition of someone else's value, appreciation is a bridge between individuals, fostering positive connections and creating a supportive environment. It is not a one-time expression; instead, it can last life long - depending on the source, not needing words but is rather shown in the demeanor of those who feel appreciation.

Does one necessitate the other?

Not at all. Throughout our lives, we are, at times, exposed to challenges, sickness or relationship issues; we have to experience what are aptly called ‘lessons’ – be it personal, health wise or in our jobs.

Are we grateful for those? Hardly.

But if those lessons changed us for the better, gave us the opportunity to learn, to accomplish a different attitude, to turn us into a stronger and wiser personality, maybe to widen our perspective of the outer and inner world – then, we can even develop a spark of gratitude; not for the often painful experience but for the appreciation we feel deep inside for what we were allowed to learn.

Life is never static but constantly moving and changing – what was ‘true’ yesterday is no longer realistic; what is considered normal today would have been appalling yesterday. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the upbringing of children, within economic developments, within fashion and within the different attitudes in our mind.

As exhausting as it often is, we have to ‘go with the flow.’ While holding on to basic principles like respect, consideration and tolerance we have no choice but to constantly adjust the outer expression of those aspects – not necessarily with gratitude but with acceptance to be participating in the human evolution.
If we refuse to move forward, to acknowledge the changes, we might easily become bitter and resentful, alienating us from both – appreciation as well as gratitude.

But if we choose to accept the unacceptable, stepping back from our own conviction, we might be rewarded with a new sense of appreciation paving the way to a higher consciousness.

Stay safe!
Ina
https://www.lifebalance.com.sg

Copyright © 2024 Life Balance LLP. All rights reserved

24/11/2024

6 Minutes to Thrive in a ‘Changed’ World (part 15)

(Continuation of ‘6 Minutes to Complete Health’)

How is your immune system?

No, not that one.

Not our physical resilience, the ability to fight a virus, bacteria or, to bounce back quickly after a cold or stomach flu.

How do you deal psychologically with the news, the constant stream of information coming through your electronic devices, the multiple chat groups discussing global events, tragedies, and disasters.

How do you process this flood of information without drowning in it?

To understand the importance of our Mental Immune System, let’s look at the Physical one first. An intricate system, a network of organs, muscles, cells and proteins, it is protecting the body’s cells, while simultaneously defending it against infections.

Keeping our Physical Immune System strong is not complicated; however, it includes all the facets of modern life – no alcohol, no smoking, sufficient sleep, exercise, no processed food (chips, cookies, deli meats) and as little stress as possible! It does not require anything special, not even particular supplements, it does not cost money, but it requires mindfulness and discipline.

However, especially since Corona, taking care of the physical aspects of a healthy immune system has not been enough. A growing number of health issues appeared that had not been created by unhealthy habits alone, but by the increasing influence of outside (mis)information, causing irrational fears and a loss of confidence.

Coupled with the feeling of separation caused by forced physical distancing created a feeling of a strange loneliness.

The general feeling of losing control, not being in charge anymore, the unpredictability of life, coupled with the growing effects of climate change - causing even more uncertainty - have propelled us into a vortex of insecurity.

In our fast-moving world, mainly characterized by digital communication, less human connection is occurring, creating a psychological imbalance no one has experienced before.

Already at the end of the last century, the term ‘Psychological Immunity’ was discovered, a unified system of cognitive, motivational and behavioral patterns that helps the individual to recover from stress and cope with problems in a healthy manner.

Just like our biological immunity defends our body from pathogens and viruses, the Mental Immune System is protecting the mind from mental pathogens.

The present times might not be particularly worse than the times of our forefathers, but the complexity of the challenges have changed drastically, overwhelming our mind and our psyche - both have not yet kept up with today’s speed and demands.

While in previous centuries, people had to endure wars, injustice, persecution, famine, economic meltdowns, they had hope and confidence in the future. Hardship seemed to be linear, maybe even predictable. They had trust that progress was in their hands and eventually their life would get better – and it did!

Today’s demands are multifaceted, like a hologram, mostly unpredictable, affecting us on all levels.

Two aspects seem to stand out: the relentless bombardment of information and the extreme focus on self-optimization, a result of the separation from others.

While digital technology is fantastic and very useful in learning, teaching, keeping in contact, staying in touch over thousands of miles, there is – as always – another side.

As our brain is constantly injected by negative news, hate messages, fake information, these will be transformed into pictures and stored, just like millions of years ago.

But today, it is not one or two big news about a wild animal or an impending natural disaster; today, there are snippets constantly creeping into our mind, poisoning our thoughts.

Then, we like, share, twitter and send links infecting others until everything goes viral – an analogy to our Physical Immune System.

Maybe, we can counteract this influence by using similar methods as during a pandemic, wearing a mask of scepsis, keeping a distance from the chain of often fake information, stepping back and reflect.

It is crucial to develop a critical mind, analyzing assumptions and maybe, recognizing our own mental habits, our prejudice. By developing self-awareness, we can accept that we might be not always right, that there might be different views.

And, as of the constant urge to become better, slimmer, more successful, more beautiful – we ultimately relinquish our personal power to Instagram and Facebook, thriving on becoming like everybody else, losing our personality, our human essence.

Especially young people feel the need to capitalize on their appearance, often suffering from social pressure and eventually depression.

How can we deal with the flood of digital information while still staying informed?

Perhaps we can dose the quantity and the quality of the information, e.g. listen/watch the news always at the same time once a day instead of repeatedly checking our phone.

We could keep one corner or room in our place digital free – no TV, no newspaper, no hp, no PC – a safe haven to read, listen to music, have a conversation...or just do nothing, enjoying the peace.

The most common cause of poor sleep and ultimately sleep deprivation is the tendency to ruminate, to worry which is often compared to sitting in a rocking chair – moving but not moving forward. It has been found that our last activity before going to bed has the greatest influence on our sleep quality.

Watching the news might not put one into a positive mood. Playing a game, planning the next holiday or chatting with a friend puts the brain into a more positive mood.

We have become a more thinking society and – thanks to AI - less a doing one. Our brain is constantly active absorbing thoughts, ‘connecting the dots’ and creating stories.

But thoughts are not facts! Our ability to let them pass without interpreting them as signs of something wrong protects us from mental disorders. The less attention we give to a "weird" or negative thought, the faster it disappears – ‘mental flossing’ it is called.

Engaging in physical activities like doing puzzles, building with Lego, doing handicraft, using our hands helps to balance our mind. We feel pure joy in creating something without a particular purpose, our mind focusing on the present only. We just have to observe children, being totally absorbed in the moment.

And finally, various studies have shown that taking a walk in a forest does wonders for our mind. Whether it is breathing the fresh air or the recognition of our insignificance in the bigger scope of things...whether it is the awareness of the continuous growing and withering or the eventual feeling of gratitude towards something higher.

In the end, it might just bring back some hope to catch a glimmer again of more ‘lightness of being’, which we are all missing.

Ina
Stay safe!
https://www.lifebalance.com.sg
Copyright © 2024 Life Balance LLP. All rights reserved.

15/09/2024

6 Minutes to Thrive in a ‘Changed’ World (part 14)
(Continuation of ‘6 Minutes to Complete Health’)

Anxiety seems to be the buzzword nowadays. Interestingly, it is particularly widespread in the so-called developed countries where people live fairly affluent, have access to water, food, education – the basics of human existence.

While the majority of our planet’s population would have all the reasons to feel anxious, they are gripped by a more existential emotion – fear of war, of hunger, of losing their livestock, fear of having to flee their home, fear of survival.

What is the difference between fear and anxiety?
While fear is the intense response to an immediate, perceivable danger, anxiety describes a vague discomfort which is not threat-specific but focused on the future, on the thought that ‘something’ might happen.

Although most of us are not affected by life-threatening circumstances, our overloaded mind which is flooded by continuous (digital) information is losing the ability to respond to our daily demands – the juggling of work, home, family issues, and financial pressure. Subsequently, we are in constant ‘fight or flight’ modus, eventually going into ‘freeze’ response, blocking any reasoning.

What causes so much anxiety?
Modern work environments often come with high demands, long hours and job insecurity; the expectation to constantly perform and compete can lead to chronic stress, a key factor of anxiety.

Technology has often led to a lack of real human connection. Excessive screen time, particularly with smartphones, has been linked to increased anxiety, especially among young people.
Internet and social media have created a 24/7 information cycle, creating constant connectivity, leading to information overload.

Platforms like Instagram, FB and Twitter showcase the high points of people’s lives, leading to a feeling of inadequacy, and anxiety around self-image and social status.

Despite being more connected online, people are feeling more isolated in real life. The decline in face-to-face interactions, aggravated by the rise of remote work, has led to a breakdown of traditional community structures, leaving many feeling lonely and anxious.

The Covid 19 pandemic drastically increased global anxiety, concerns about health, safety and economic stability. Coupled with the growing awareness of environmental issues and climate change has created anxiety, especially among the younger generation who are concerned about the long-term impact on the planet.

Polarized political landscapes, global conflicts, and social unrest contribute to feelings of insecurity and anxiety about the future. Rising cost of living, housing crises and economic uncertainties put significant financial pressures on individuals.

How can we cope?
Although we are not always in control of what is happening outside, we are able to respond from our inside - once we recognize the signs of lingering anxiety. The following symptoms do not appear suddenly but are developing over time. Check whether you or somebody close to you is displaying any of the following indicators.

Emotional symptoms – feeling overwhelmed, constantly irritable, harbouring a sense of doom
Behavioural symptoms – restlessness, avoiding certain situations, unable to focus on decisions
Cognitive symptoms – intrusive thoughts, excessive worries, overthinking, loss of concentration
Physical symptoms – rapid heartbeat, difficult breathing, clammy hands, muscle tension…

Common ways to combat anxiety
Nail biting, flicking of hair, pen clicking, constantly rearranging clothing and accessories, tapping of fingers on the table, nightly grinding of teeth, restless legs, skin picking, pulling out hair.
At a later stage perhaps addictive habits (alcohol, drugs, smoking, medication), even exercise, certain food (chocolate, chips) or developing OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

How can we regain some balance, some equilibrium?
Everybody is different – and so is every method to combat anxiety. Here are just a few: most worries are anticipatory; don’t believe every thought you might have. Anxiety never leads to productive action.

Write down the answers to the following questions:
what am I reacting to? Is this a fact or an opinion?
What would someone else say?
Where is my focus of attention?
Is there another way of looking at this?
What advice would I give someone in this situation?

As breathing irregularities are one of the first signs of accumulated stress it is also the first one to get control over, supporting our Chi in nourishing our mind, heart, our organs, helping to keep our inner balance.

Andew Weil’s 4-7-8 breathing, a form of Pranayama (focusing on the breath) is extremely effective in activating the parasympathetic nervous system, returning the body and mind to a calm and relaxed state. Breathe in through your nose at a count of 4, hold your breath at a count of 7, and exhale through your mouth at a count of 8. By breathing out through your mouth your lungs release all previously accumulated CO2. Do this for several rounds and enjoy the resulting calmness.

And – if still no relief is achieved and you are still drowning in worries, struggling to keep afloat – here is some humor; lighten up a bit and remember somebody from thousands of years ago:

Lessons from the Ark

1) Don’t miss the boat
2) Remember that we are all in the same boat
3) Plan ahead – it wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark
4) Stay fit. When you are 60 years old, someone may ask you to
do something really big
5) Don’t listen to critics. Just get on with what needs to be done
6) Build your future on high ground
7) For safety’s sake, travel in pairs
8) Speed isn’t always an advantage; the snails were on board with
the cheetahs
9) When you are stressed float awhile
10) Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by
professionals
11) No matter the storm, when you are with God there is always a
rainbow waiting

Stay safe!
Ina
https://www.lifebalance.com.sg

Copyright © 2024 Life Balance LLP. All rights reserved

31/07/2024

6 Minutes to Thrive in a ‘Changed World (part 13)

(Continuation of ‘6 Minutes to Complete Health’

‘There is nothing which Heaven does not cover, and nothing which Earth does not sustain’(Chuang Tzu 369 – 286)

Chuang Tzu is considered, along with Lao Tzu, one of the great figures of early Taoist thought. Using parables and anecdotes, his philosophy illustrates that ‘real happiness and freedom are found only in understanding the Tao or Way of Nature and dwelling in its unity’. He saw absolute power as a problem, and promoted the idea that individuals have the right to seek their own salvation. This emancipation of the individual and self-expression were central tenets of his school of thought – what a progressive idea!

And yet, this sentence from ancient times describes a fundamental insight into the dynamics of our planet – the vastness of Heaven, the endlessness/infinity of Earth, a duality, no one can escape from, and no one can do without.

Different from the other Elements, Metal (autumn), Fire (summer), Water (winter) and Wood (spring), Earth is found at the end of every season signifying its adaptability to other Elements. Furthermore, Earth’s movement is not upward, downward, or expanding, instead, Earth remains still, maintaining its center of gravity.

That feeling of peace and calmness is much reflected in an Earth person, often called the ‘negotiator’ or the ‘peacekeeper’. Even, in the eye of a storm, this personality will strive to keep calm. ‘Let us first eat’ is a common expression when things get a bit turbulent - well knowing that nothing appeases blown-up emotions more than food. They take care of everything and everybody, providing comfort, listening to complaints, and always negotiating patiently – there must be peace!

However, because of their empathetic nature, they get emotionally easily out of balance, taking on other people’s problems and are often ‘eaten up’ by worries. If ruled by an overactive Earth Element, they often display a tendency to be overly sympathetic for other people’s issues. Just like Earth covers everything, without any boundaries, they tend to have difficulties drawing a boundary between giving and receiving, my trouble or your trouble. Within personal relationships, this smothering overprotectiveness leads often to a loss of their center and an empty feeling.

This feeling of an inner void is usually met by eating sweet food – like chocolate, candies, desserts and cake – as sweet is the taste associated with the Earth Element. It is only logical that weight gain (mostly in the lower body and thighs) are forming a major part of concern for the respective person. Loosing the physical boundaries by indiscriminate emotional eating coupled with an inability to letting go causes the Earth Element getting more and more unbalanced, resulting in more worries…a vicious cycle.

Gathering and stability are the main characteristics of the Earth Element – the soil that feeds us and the ground that locates us in time and space. It is easy to see why Earth is intimately connected to nourishment and food, the related organs being Stomach and the Spleen. Receiving the food, storing it temporarily extracting the nutrients, which enrich and strengthen our body is the main function of these organs.

It is the same process of differentiation between pure and impure, useful and useless that defines the character of Earth Energy in a person. Distinguishing and deciding with the aim of transforming thoughts and feelings into sensible actions form a crucial part of our mental capacity.

An unbalanced Earth Element – too weak or too strong – often results in what is nowadays called ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder). It describes the inability to focus on one subject while being distracted by numerous outer stimuli. Instead of coming to a conclusion the respective person is often obsessed by constant repetitive thinking which usually results in worries and feelings of insecurity. ‘Worries go to the Stomach’ is a popular saying, as worry and sympathy are the emotions affecting our digestive Energies.

With reference to ‘useful and useless’, the subject of environmental impact comes to mind. What causes the most pollution? It is not the water, not the food or the air – instead, it is the internet, the overwhelming flood of information, exacerbated by the ‘fear of missing out’ on something (Fomo) drives everybody to endless scrolling, researching, googling, followed by worries about other people, doubts about oneself, leading to a constant lack of decision making, blocking clear thinking.

Have you ever noticed the squeezy feeling in the stomach after hours of intense studies for an upcoming exam? Why is it always advised to snack on something while learning? Too much thinking with the often-futile attempt to differentiate different aspects of an important issue often results in a slightly nauseous, empty condition.

As a child, this personality type needs a loving family and a daily routine – reading the same bedtime story every evening, playing the same game every Sunday, and having the same dish over and over again. Family traditions, a love for animals, and collecting things from the past – all this provides the security that they need.

Professionally, this person usually thrives in a company neither too big nor too small. Everybody should know everybody and there should always be time for a friendly chat. Job security is important as they are loyal employees, favoring routine while resenting change. This is the person who loves to be of service, organizing birthday presents and pleasing everybody.

So, what is the purpose of knowing about the emotional, mental and physical connections to certain times within a year? Does it help us to make sense of all the chaos around us – does it equip us with special tools to overcome the effect?

As we are in an Earth year as well as in an Earth month one is tempted to look for some meaning. Prophecies abound about landslides, earthquakes, extreme droughts, more road accidents, as well as serious diseases like cancer, diabetes, problems with the cells…all related to the Earth Element.

But maybe, instead of finding justification for personal or natural disasters (which, unfortunately, happen every year), we could look at the other side, taking something like a Meta view of the world and of humanity.

Moving through all Five Elements and its connotations – from Separation to Compassion (Metal), from Fear to Resilience (Water), from Frustration to Patience (Wood), from Anxiety to Joy (Fire) and finally, from Worries to Sympathy with those less fortunate (Earth) – could demonstrate us the power of our choice. We can’t escape the Five Elements, but the focus is our choice.

Ataraxia – a blissful, peaceful state of mind, untroubled by mental or emotional disquiet – has been the highest goal of an Epicurean disciple. We all might be far away from Epicur’s stoicism, his tranquility of mind. But the choice of focus is still ours…one day at a time.

Stay safe!

Ina

https://www.lifebalance.com.sg

Send a message to learn more