Man maintains his balance, poise, and sense of security only as

Maxwell Maltz, the physician of the human spirit, once declared: “Man maintains his balance, poise, and sense of security only as he is moving forward.” In this statement he revealed a truth as old as the journey of mankind: life is not meant for stagnation, but for progress. Just as the rider remains steady only while the horse is in motion, and just as the sailor finds stability by steering into the waves, so too the human soul finds its balance only by advancing toward a purpose. To stop is to falter, to retreat is to decay; but to move forward, even with trembling steps, is to live.

The ancients understood this well. In the writings of Heraclitus, it was said: All things flow. The river never stands still; its very existence is movement. Likewise, man’s spirit is diminished when it clings to stillness. The philosophers of Rome urged men not to dwell in yesterday’s victories nor be chained by yesterday’s losses, but to stride ever forward into tomorrow. For poise is not found in standing idle, but in leaning into the wind of destiny with steady resolve.

History gives us shining examples. Think of Christopher Columbus, who set sail into waters unknown, mocked by many and feared by most. Had he remained on the shore, he might have preserved safety, but he would have gained nothing. By moving forward—into the uncertain, the dangerous, the uncharted—he discovered a new world. His balance came not from standing still, but from advancing into the unknown. Security was born in forward motion.

Another example lies in the life of Helen Keller. Deaf, blind, and voiceless, she might have remained still, imprisoned in silence and darkness. Yet with the guidance of her teacher, she pressed forward step by step into knowledge, into speech, into the fullness of life. Her balance was not in retreating into despair, but in advancing, no matter how small the motion. Her story proclaims Maltz’s truth: security and poise come only to those who keep moving, even when movement is painful.

To maintain balance in life is much like walking a tightrope. One cannot pause indefinitely without falling; one must take step after step, moving forward to remain upright. So too with the human spirit—when it stops seeking growth, it begins to waver, when it stops pursuing meaning, it begins to collapse. Motion is not merely an act of survival, but of harmony; it is what aligns man with the very current of existence.

This teaching also carries a warning: do not be deceived by false security in stillness. Many believe that by clinging to the past, by refusing change, by locking themselves in comfort, they will preserve balance. Yet the still pool grows stagnant while the flowing river remains alive. The unmoving soul becomes brittle, while the advancing spirit remains supple and strong. Forward movement is the law of life itself.

The lesson for us is clear: seek not safety in standing still. Your balance, your poise, your very sense of being depends upon your willingness to advance—to grow in wisdom, to pursue new challenges, to embrace change. Fear may whisper to stop, despair may urge you to retreat, but the soul knows the truth: balance lies ahead, not behind.

Practical action follows: Each day, take a step forward—whether in learning, in courage, in service, or in love. Do not cling too tightly to what has passed, but let your eyes rest on what is yet to come. When you feel unsteady, do not freeze—move. When you feel insecure, do not retreat—advance. For as Maxwell Maltz reminds us, man maintains his balance only as he is moving forward, and in motion, he finds his true strength.