Balance

Acrobatics Show

Watching a boy balance on a stack of rolling cylinders, and young girls spin plates atop long poles at a Chinese acrobatics show, the thought came to me that nothing could be more symbolic of the culture I had been introduced to here. Not a culture that centers around acrobatics, or one that emphasizes the importance of being in the spotlight, but a culture that revolves around finding balance.

Yin and yang. In opposition to the Western belief that “you can’t have too much of a good thing,” China seems to operate on the belief that happiness and health follow naturally from a balanced life.

While in the country, I don’t remember seeing many (if any at all) billboards for miracle diets, or ways to “lose 25 pounds in two weeks.” But there also seemed to be a noticeable dearth of overweight Chinese people. In addition to a diet which omits certain popular food groups in America (“McDonald’s,” for one), a great number of people exercise on a regular basis. Driving through the city early in the morning, our bus passed groups of people on the sidewalks and in front of buildings, dancing together. In the evenings, we saw these areas fill with people stretching, or doing tai-chi. We even had the honor of joining a group of retirees in a game of what we called “hacky-disc” (similar to “hacky-sack, but played with a disc with feathers sprouting from one end) in a park. Granted, I didn’t see a lot of body-builder types strolling down the sidewalks in any of the cities we visited. But it seems that just a moderate amount of exercise every day is enough for a healthy “balance.”

The philosophy of balance extends beyond the people and into the architecture of the cities. Some of the tallest buildings I’ve ever seen are there, packed so densely I felt like I was in a set from Bladerunner; but sprinkled across the cities and nestled right next to these skyscrapers are lush, green parks. The juxtaposition of these two environments strike a stark contrast with one another: man-made steel towering above stretches of bright green grass and quiet ponds; imposing buildings next to inviting trees. It’s at once utilitarian and beautiful, beneficial for business and an individual’s peace of mind.

The way balance is so seamlessly integrated into so many aspects of their lives is truly beautiful and, as many things do on my travels, gave me something to ponder and perhaps implement in my own life. Now if only my life of balance could help me to ride a bicycle while standing atop the seat, like these acrobats…

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