A man recently mentioned that he was looking for a “normal” woman. So I ask myself, what’s normal? Maybe his definition of normal could be more in line with a balanced person. The dictionary defines normal as: conforming with, adhering to, or constituting a norm, standard, pattern, level, or type; typical. These definitions of normal might better be used to describe an object than a person.
So, I could ask him, is he looking for a “normal” woman or a “balanced” woman? Does he desire a relationship with a norm, standard, typical woman, or might he really be looking for a “balanced” woman; one who can balance the good times and not so good times in her life powerfully?
Then the question becomes: “what is balanced?” The dictionary defines “balanced” as:
· A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces.
· The power or means to decide.
a. A state of bodily equilibrium: thrown off balance by a gust of wind.
b. The ability to maintain bodily equilibrium: Gymnasts must have good balance.
· A stable mental or psychological state; emotional stability.
· A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design.
· An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.
· The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences.
· Accounting.
a. Equality of totals in the debit and credit sides of an account.
b. The difference between such totals, either on the credit or the debit side.
Oh, so balanced is like the Golden Mean! Got it. We’ve been studying the Golden Mean and Maimonides point of view. Sometimes I agree with him, sometimes I don’t. Being able to disagree with Maimonides gives me some insight of who I am as a person – not easily swayed by an established philosopher. I don’t know a lot about him, yet I’m learning. One thing I’ve noticed, probably because I’m standing outside the circumstances, is that there a many Jews who take what Maimonides says at face value. They hear his name and because of his fame, they concede that he was all knowing. They lack the conviction for their own value to say no when it’s possible he might have been only looking from his perspective and not from the perspective of the other. Some even have him so high on a pedestal as would be befitting an idol-istic god. I do feel privileged that I read his writings and argue with him and know him as if he were here in the present.