Centering and balancing are related. Being centered and staying balanced are connected. How do we maintain an inner balance in a world that seems intent on throwing us off balance? We come to a place of centeredness, of balance, not by pushing against what feels threatening but by opening ourselves up to it to find what is good in it.

All that God created is good at the core of its created being, and that core is what we seek to know, what we open ourselves to experience. There may be great risk in such openness, but life is risky. When we close ourselves to anything that feels threatening in this world, we shut down to life itself. To love someone entails the risk of rejection. To be kind to anyone risks receiving unkindness in return. To speak with respect to people risks bearing the brunt of their disrespect. In the best of situations and relationships, there remains such risk. But we normally open ourselves to love, kindness, and respect anyway. Jesus calls us to go beyond that, to show love, kindness, and respect even to people who have already treated us in opposite ways.

Imagine facing someone who threatens you with palms forward and hands open, perhaps with arms opened toward that person as well? If the other person is willing to receive it, you offer respect and kindness, even love. You do not move toward the person until your offer of respect is honored. Sadly you may back away to wait for another opportunity if it is rejected. But your heart remains open, demonstrated by those open hands and open arms. This is one way to find and maintain an inner balance in a threatening world.