Equilibrium

In a world marked by constant change and restless pursuit, the human heart seeks equilibrium. For centuries, spiritual and religious traditions have served as the steady compass guiding individuals and communities toward balance. As a woman, uniquely gifted with the call to nurture life in its many forms, I have encountered in my own Catholic traditions both strength and solace (as well as challenge and hypocrisy)—a reservoir of wisdom that harmonizes the temporal with the eternal.

My lived experience has involved balancing diverse roles: as caretaker, professional, leader, educator and spiritual seeker. This multifaceted reality echoes my understanding of the human person as a composite of body and soul, both yearning for fulfillment. Spiritual and religious traditions have offered me a range tools to integrate these dimensions, transforming the pressures of daily life into opportunities for grace.

For example, the practice of prayer—central to every major religious tradition—grounds us in the present while orienting our souls toward the divine. The daily rhythm of prayer, much like the discipline of the Liturgy of the Hours, fosters an ordered life where time is sanctified. In these moments, we encounter the eternal amidst the transient, finding balance in the midst of chaos. Whilst I no longer follow the structured prayer of my past, I cannot imagine a day without prayer. True, it is often the most challenging times that prompt prayer, but when I think about my day – I realise that my heart and mind are often turned towards the divine in conversation, however brief.

Today, the rapid pace of life often leads to fragmentation—of time, relationships, and purpose. Additionally, society seldom promotes virtue as a pathway to a desired state. Even so, if we think about it, prudence teaches us to discern what truly matters, guiding our choices with clarity; justice calls us to honor the dignity of others, particularly those marginalized by society; and temperance moderates our desires, while fortitude empowers us to persevere through trials. Maybe we need to focus on growing our virtues each and every day.

I would suggest that my Catholic tradition acts as both a mirror and a map. It reflects my deepest longings for wholeness while charting a path toward peace. As a female I have often felt the heavy weight of societal expectations, a burden I would like to see substantially decreased for my daughter and the daughters of her generation, especially as they navigate an increasingly secularised world.