LatinosUSA

«I went to bed late that night thinking about the witchcraft on the farm. It looked bad, as if it had come from an ancient grave to smash its face against my windowpane. I heard hyenas howling in the distance.» (p. 155, Out of Africa, Isak Dinesen)

Achieving balance is the first step to overcoming an unequal situation or one that diminishes our personal brilliance. And how do we achieve this? By not letting ourselves be consumed by fear. That emotion paralyzes us, because we are headed toward a dead end.

When I was very little, we went to the river, and while on a small island (I was alone), I slipped and felt that it would lead me to my death. I managed to grab hold and recover. Let’s say I was 8 or 9? But that imbalance has always been present in my mind. It’s a matter of seconds in which one can either let oneself be carried away or assume that one must restore balance.

That’s why I’ve always believed that vital force, the personal, the intimate, should govern all actions that may arise. One shouldn’t be afraid. One must rethink solutions in seconds to increase life’s capacity. The capacity to love, the capacity to name the magic that surrounds you and will help you.

G. Ré said a few days ago: “Well, I saw you in shorts. I remember it like it was yesterday, but you know I didn’t know who you were, neither my aunt nor my father. They told me I had a brother; I found out when I was older.”

Building balance is no easy task. Behind it lie half-truths, the imitations of love, the giving of trust that isn’t right. As the author of Out of Africa would say:

“I heard the hyenas howling in the distance.” Therefore, building spiritual health is a lifelong endeavor.

Notes: This article is published in Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Catalan, and English (in several countries).