The Art of Balance: A Call to Stillness, Faith and Love

In a world filled with constant noise, pressure, distraction, and division, the most radical act may simply be to stop. To unplug. To pause and truly listen—not to the chaos of the world, but to the whisper of your soul. I invite you, from one human to another, to take a step back. Breathe. Reconnect. Reclaim your balance.

Take time for yourself.Not to isolate, but to find clarity.Not to escape, but to remember.Not to prove, but to be.

Spend Time with God

In stillness, there is God.In silence, there is clarity.And in surrender, there is strength.

Today, as I sit with these thoughts, I do so with deep reflection and reverence. I’ve lived more years than I likely have left, and in that awareness, I’ve found a deeper appreciation for the sacredness of time and the beauty of simplicity. I’ve fallen—many times—but always fell face forward, led by grace. Life has broken me open, but that cracking allowed the light of divine wisdom to pour in. That’s the humor of God I’ve come to appreciate—how even our stumbles are sacred choreography.

I look around and see a world hurting. People lost in cycles, blaming, pointing, surviving—not thriving. And my heart aches, not in judgment, but in empathy. So many are caught in illusions. So many are trying to outsmart the system, forgetting that there is no spoon. All is mental. All is choice. The power of this life is not in the illusion, but in the awakening.

Be Not Like Lot’s Wife

Don’t look back so longingly that you turn to stone.Don’t become so consumed with the image you’re projecting that you forget to live.

Let go. Let God.Laugh.Cry.Be still.Be foolish.Be free.

I’ve learned that wisdom doesn’t come from adding more to who we are, but rather, removing what never belonged. Letting go of what we were told we should be in order to uncover what we already are. The journey is not one of accumulation, but of surrender. This is the path I walk now, with less armor and more heart.

As an African, I know who I am. And I honor every piece of culture, wisdom, and experience that has shaped my identity. Yet, I’ve also learned to cherish the letting go—the shedding of old skins that no longer fit. The more I encounter, the more I realize: the beauty is in the subtraction.

Imagine if We Worked as Hard to Love

No agenda.No expectations.Just love—for the sake of love.

Not man’s version, but God’s.A love that protects, strengthens, uplifts, and heals.

A divine love that reminds us that every single day is an opportunity. A chance to choose peace, gratitude, and purpose.

Find your Ikigai

“Ikigai” (生き甲斐), a Japanese concept, translates to “a reason for being” or “a reason to live,” and it’s about finding meaning and purpose in life by aligning your passions, skills, and values with what the world needs and what you can be paid for. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Meaning:

“Ikigai” combines “iki” (life) and “gai” (worth or value), essentially meaning “life’s worth”. 

Purpose:

It’s about discovering what truly matters to you and living a life filled with purpose and joy. 

Four Elements (Venn Diagram):

The concept is often visualized using a Venn diagram with four overlapping circles representing:

What you love (passion): What brings you joy and enthusiasm. 

What you are good at (vocation): Your skills and talents. 

What the world needs (mission): What contributes to society and makes a difference. 

What you can be paid for (profession): What you can make a living doing. 

Finding your Ikigai:

By exploring these four areas, you can identify the intersection where your passions, skills, and purpose align, leading to a more fulfilling life.

These are the 10 rules to living a long and healthy life following your Ikigai:

Take it slow. …

Stay active; don’t retire. …

Don’t fill your stomach. …

Surround yourself with good friends. …

Get in shape for your next birthday. …

Smile. …

Reconnect with nature. …

Give thanks.

As Prakasaka beautifully said:

“May you lead the week with your heart and not your head, with love instead of fear… May you know when to rest and restore, and when to seize the moment and put in maximum effort toward your greater vision.”

Let that be the rhythm. Rest and rise. Reflect and move. Love and be loved. In this duality, we find wholeness.

To those who feel unseen, trapped, tired—I see you. I love you. I believe in you. Know that you are more than your circumstances, and you are never alone. The world can be unkind, yes. But we are part of an abundant universe that still offers beauty, grace, and second chances.

Be courageous enough to stop.Be gentle enough to listen.Be brave enough to believe again.

The mystics of every tradition remind us that true unity and love transcends manmade walls. That imagination, devotion, and divine grace will always lead us home. May your home be peace. May your legacy be love. May your journey be one of remembering—not becoming—who you already are.

From my heart to yours,

With love, grace, and deep gratitude,

Alfonso Brooks
For AfriKin

May the hungry be fed.May the sick be nourished.May the naked be clothed.May the infant be cared for.May the aged be protected.

And may you, beloved reader, be filled with the goodness of God and the peace that surpasses all understanding.

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