Given the rather morose nature of the subject matter on this blog, thus far, I would be remiss and dishonest if I neglected entirely those aspects of existence which bring joy, comfort and strength. I will try, in future, to add some meaningful content here, but for now i'll rest content with merely registering the intention.
The juxtaposition between joy and suffering also raises interesting questions regarding the interaction between these two states, the way that each can, by its own light and shade, alter the experience and interpretation of the other. Anyway, love, beauty, laughter, kindness, friendship, loyalty, tenderness, generosity of spirit, moral courage, and delight are just as real as their opposites, and certainly more valuable and admirable (in a personal, non-Heraclitian sense). This has nothing to do with "balance" in any petty (i.e. neutral) sense, since neutrality is never really an option for any living thing.
The juxtaposition between joy and suffering also raises interesting questions regarding the interaction between these two states, the way that each can, by its own light and shade, alter the experience and interpretation of the other. Anyway, love, beauty, laughter, kindness, friendship, loyalty, tenderness, generosity of spirit, moral courage, and delight are just as real as their opposites, and certainly more valuable and admirable (in a personal, non-Heraclitian sense). This has nothing to do with "balance" in any petty (i.e. neutral) sense, since neutrality is never really an option for any living thing.