The concept of Yin and Yang is ancient but used a lot in our society because it can be applied (sometimes incorrectly) to so many different settings. It represents opposing, but also complementing sides, dark and light, warm and cold, shrinking and expanding, the list goes on and on. One can’t exist without the other.
So what does is mean in our modern lives, to our bodily and mental well being when our Yin and Yang start being unbalanced?
As humans, happiness is created by having a need fulfilled. A baby is hungry, it eats. It is happy. A child is lonely, it gets a hug. It is happy. Our ability to have a need fulfilled, a problem solved, to be able to see and touch the result of our labour makes us happy. That can be anything from baking bread, tidying up the garden, painting that wall, chatting with friends. Yin and Yang are balanced, we are centered, we are happy.
Now slowly, worry creeps in. Many of us are now facing worries that are less tangible. Problems that include work, the environment, illness, wars, the list goes on and on. Thanks to modern technology, we have access to so much information, but also to so many problems. Problems that can’t be solved, but that feel so very important, that can have a huge impact on our lives. Yin and Yang within us become unbalanced, detach a bit, come back together, detach again a little bit with every sleepless night, we are not centered anymore.
How to protect your Yin & Yang?
Accepting ones’ limitations maybe a good start. You can help your elderly neighbour and do the shopping for her. Refreshing the news channel every two hours will not change much other than increasing you level of anxiety. An important way to protect your Yin and Yang is to build a protective emotional and mental shield. Maybe don’t listen to the news on weekends. Maybe try Yoga. Be kind to yourself so you can be kind to others. ❤