R is for Radical

R is for Radical

And what might radical mean? The American Heritage says -

Radical 

 adjective 

1.of or going to the root or origin; fundamental: a radical difference.
2. thoroughgoing or extreme, especially as regards change from accepted or traditional forms:a radical change in the policy of a company.

3.favoring drastic political, economic, or social reforms: radical ideas; radical and anarchistic ideologues.
4.forming a basis or foundation.
5.existing inherently in a thing or person: radical defects of character.

noun

6. a person who holds or follows strong convictions or extreme principles; extremist.
7.a person who advocates fundamental political, economic, and social reforms by direct and often uncompromising methods.

I like the connection between radical and root. To be truly radical one must go to the root. Surface radical changes are not truly radical - they are just optics. 

How does this pertain to my quest for balance? Being a radical or making radical changes doesn't seem so balanced you might think. I believe differently. I must go to the root of the question here - my life is more than my art or from a radical point of view - it is all art. Everything I do whether it is rock a baby, make a meal, or write a poem. All art.  I don't believe I am #6 above but I do believe I am #7. My art and my life must support this. If I am not advocating for social reforms I am not existing. This world is in the dark ages - we are living in a sea of materialistic muck - we have forgotten the wild, the wonderful world of nature, the rhythms of the seasons and the fundamental, radical roots of existence - of understanding the interdependence of it all. 

So wear your radical flag proudly. Form a basis or foundation of difference - it is part of your inherent nature.