We've all heard of Newton. He's the guy with those nifty fig cookies, right? He's also the guy who sat under a tree, daydreaming and was suddenly hit with the concept of gravity.
For our purposes, though, he had this set of Laws that govern Physics and Motion. One and two are not important tonight (as long as the Republicans don't try to repeal them) but Newton's Third Law is my focus.
Hop nimbly over the Orange Croissant of Satan, and we'll discuss how it applies. The Law, not the croissant. What you do with your croissants in the privacy of your home is your own business. I'm not here to judge.
We all know this image of Newton:
But he also looked like this:
Looked like he might've been in an episode of Game Of Thrones or something, didn't he? Brains and looks. I think I have a crush.
:: crickets chirping ::
You guys don't care so much about that, do you. Fine. Let's get on with it, then.
Newton's Third Law Of Motion states that: For every action, there is an equal and opposite re-action.
In other words, if you toss one of those tasty fig cookies against the wall, the wall is going to push back, and you're going to wind up with fig mush. And a lot of explaining to do.
It's all about balance. The Universe strives toward balance, because without it, we have chaos. I'm a big fan of chaos...in controlled amounts. Ever been to an 8 year old's birthday party? Controlled chaos. Ever been to a Tupperware Party on Friday, with wine? Controlled chaos. Good times, all.
As human beings, we have a yen for balance. If things go awry, we want to set them to rights. It seems to be a natural inclination in us, as well as in the Universe at large.
So when things do go out of kilter, how do we get them back?
Well, if you're wearing these to work......
....you might want to spend more time in these.....
or these......
The same applies to our heads and hearts. We can't keep cramming them into tight, constricted spaces and expect to be generous of heart and open of mind. Gotta let a little air in and a little sunlight.
When we spend all our time and energy giving to others, we need to find ways to replenish our energies, both physical and emotional.
It comes down to being selfish, in a healthy way. Learning to say, "No." is a large part of that.
"Can you spend the weekend helping me fix something that we both know got broken because I refused to take sensible precautions, then blamed everyone else?"
Ummmm, "No."
"Why not?"
"I have other plans."
"What plans?"
"Plans I do not care to discuss."
"No, really, what plaaaaaaans." (aha! The note of whine enters the equation. Guilt trip leaving the station in 5....4.....3.....2....)
"Plans I am not going to discuss."
"Really?"
"Really."
"But I'm your friieeeennd."
"That's why I know you understand." (Guilt trip averted; train leaves station unboarded.)
Learning to say "No" is one of the healthiest things we can do for ourselves, especially when our own lives are sometimes overwhelmed with job, family, activism, and the almost constant push-pull of modern life.
Newton was right about balance. I'm not so sure about those cookies, though.
What do you do to keep your life balanced? If you have secrets to share...this is the place and the time. If you've got something else on your mind, this is the place and the time.
Kitbitz away!
Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with kossacks who are caring and supportive of one another. So bring your stories, jokes, photos, funny pics, music, and interesting videos, as well as links—including quotations—to diaries, news stories, and books that you think this community would appreciate. Readers may notice that most who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but newcomers should not feel excluded. We welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.