pendulum of life
Image inspired by the song Pendulum by Pearl Jam. Source: http://jimmybuiphotography.com

Have patience. The pendulum
that swung too far in one
direction will swing back.
At the moment of its turning,
everything hangs in the balance.
All the momentum of past actions
is suspended in mid-air, and
those who care about what happens next are poised with it.

There is a long and anxious
pause before the motion shifts,
and then the sense of free fall,
when the world is turned on
its head and nothing is known
or normal. Have patience then,
and do not rush to either extreme.
The way will paint its own arrows
on the trees if you can wait for clarity.

~ Danna Fauld

The pendulum of life is always moving and shifting. Yet, with patience, the pendulum also comes close to the ground and finds stillness there. In that moment it finds its middle ground. This is the place where clarity and direction appear.

40 responses to “The Pendulum Swings”

  1. You are so right. I see it going back and forth in education, style, and my own life.

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  2. I have always appreciated the visual aspect of the swinging pendulum of life’s changes. This poetry, and your wise words, Val, on the moment of stillness, are a wonderful reminder of peace even in chaos.

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    1. Thank you Jet. I do like the metaphor of the pendulum, and love feeling the movement on a swing 😊

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  3. Here’s to maintaining our equilibrium . . . even if the pendulum swings way too far to the right or left.

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    1. Who’s to say it’s too far one way or the other … the pendulum follows the laws of nature 😊

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      1. Danna said it ~> “The pendulum that swung too far in one direction will swing back.”

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  4. HaHa…it does not surprise me, but rather gives me a little tickle to my heart that in the first lines of my post today I speak of this pendulum!! How are you, Val? I have missed you…and hope that your summer is wrapping you in love! ❤
    Thanks for always speaking to my heart.

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    1. I had a smile as well Lorrie. It’s so important to find our way through the rollercoaster of life and maintain our center. In that way we have the foundation to rise above the drama and swings and become free. 💕

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      1. You have that so right, Val! It seems that drama can have a life of its own and build one thing after another. And “free” sounds like such a great place! Many blesings being sent to you…and lots of love 💜

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  5. I love that moment when it finds its Middle Ground. 💜

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    1. Me too Julie. Me too 💕

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  6. Yup. That’s been my experience in life! ♡
    Diana xo

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    1. We are all swingers in our own way Diana. Thank you for your comment 💛

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  7. Beautiful poem and reminder, Val. That place of stillness is magical when it happens. 🙂

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    1. Thank you Diana 💛

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    1. Sorry – meant to include this but it didn’t come through: https://graycrawford.net/2017/08/07/lunar-eclipse-in-aquarius/

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      1. 👍 I’ll check it out. Thanks Bela 💛

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    1. Thank you Betty 💛 Glad you enjoyed it.

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  8. Yes so true! Resisting the swing is what causes all our problems ha!! 💕💚

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    1. It’s true Karen❣️ we forget that the swing is part of nature .. and life itself. Thank you 💛💐💛

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  9. […] via The Pendulum Swings — Find Your Middle Ground […]

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  10. Profound reminder for these troubled times

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    1. Indeed Derrick. It’s a metaphor that we can apply to world events right now, as well as our personal lives. Thank you 💛

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  11. Thanks for the clarity and direction in your lovely posts, Val.

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    1. Thank you for swinging by today Ann and leaving a lovely comment 💕

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  12. Lovely insightful poem. The funny thing is, just the other day I was talking to my cousin about the pendulum swinging. Thanks for sharing such interesting things, Val!

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    1. Thank you Ally! Glad you enjoyed it 💛

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      1. It’s a pleasure, Val! 🙂

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  13. Wonderful post Val, such an idea and thought sure makes it easy to put life into perspective ~ whether you’re on a high or struggling in a low. Beautiful thoughts and words.

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    1. Thank you Randall. It’s so good to hear from you. 💛 I hope you are doing well. xo

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  14. Very good point! Whenever I am feeling a bit down, I just remind myself that the pendulum will swing in the other direction eventually, and things will get better. And you know what? They always do!

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  15. How truthfully inspiring!! Cheers, Charu ☺️💛💛

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  16. Still behind and will catch up soon. Loved this!

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    1. Love that you checked in Marlene 💛 thank you!

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  17. I learned about the pendulum concept in my recovery. I was so far to the extreme in many cases that it will take time and patience to come back to the middle way.

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    1. Addiction and disease takes us on such an upsetting ride… I am glad you found your middle ground 💛

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About Me

My name is Val Boyko, a dual citizen living near Philadelphia, originally from Scotland.

This blog came to life one morning in 2013.  I woke up with these words in my mind:  “Life is a series of highs and lows. Be grateful for the highs. Be graceful in the lows. And find contentment in your Middle Ground.”

Find Your Middle Ground blog started to explore, reflect, ask deep questions, share insights about awakening, and connect with wonderful people like yourself. Thank you for being here and being such an inspiration.