Finding Balance 1 of 1 This project represents three ideals for me: balance, rejuvenation, and rebirth. I have the sense that the magic is always there, but that we don’t see it unless we are brave enough to actually dip our foot in the water. That’s when the possibilities in life reveal themselves. It’s when the magic happens! I split the panels in three unequal sections to show that no matter how much we try to find balance, some area of our lives will always take up a larger portion of our time and mental energy. The man built into the rocks reminds us we have the strength of our fathers (the people that came before us) and that we build our futures on their foundations. The female mother represents our connection with one another, the world being pregnant with possibilities, and also how we can’t make it on our own. We must help others, but also be willing to lean on people too! The Egyptian symbol for death standing as a distant tower on a small island, represents rebirth, that the death of who we once were is a necessary part of growth. The sailboat tells us we should not be afraid of moving towards this re-creation of ourselves, that growth can only happen if we bravely move towards becoming our higher selves. We must be resilient and push through storms and ride the waves. The journey is more important than the destination. The Enso symbol on the side of the cliff face is a reminder to be at peace with everything that comes with life. That we should embrace and welcome our renewal. We are constantly in the state of becoming. Even setbacks shape us. Every day is another chance to be better, do better, learn and grow! And finally, the yin yang symbol reminds me we are equal parts light and dark. We need to throw away the idea if we are not feeling positive, there is something wrong with us. Or that we need to beat ourselves up over mistakes. Balance is the key to inner peace! I built this piece as my reminder when things seem dark, insurmountable, or chaotic. It’s a work of hope and faith!