Time to consider pendulum’s swing

Traditional old grandfather clocks have a special appeal for many ... perhaps a combination of their age, timekeeping properties and hypnotic swing of the pendulum. The dramatic appeal of these stately clocks is often enhanced by the attention demanding yet earcatching, melodious chimes.

Perhaps not just by chance, a good number of the exponents of the practice of hypnotism use a pendulum motion to gain control over their subjects ... often for entertainment value, and sometimes, in health-related treatments.

But the application and workings of the pendulum concept goes way beyond its timekeeping and health relevance.

Human life, cycles of nature such as the seasons, crop farming and vegetation sequences, the ebb and flow of tides, the waxing and waning of the moon, are some of the phenomena that are subject to swings.

The pendulum and its nature pervades and determines most processes known to people, and it is little wonder that quotes and poems about it abound.

Carl Jung’s view encourages us to examine how we think: “The pendulum of the mind oscillates between sense and nonsense, not between right and wrong.”

Albert Einstein’s damningly critical observation on the nature of politics bears consideration, especially currently in our country: “Politics is a pendulum whose swings between anarchy and tyranny are fuelled by perennially rejuvenated illusions.”

Arthur Schopenhauer focuses on the broader, sobering realities of institutions and society in: “So the pendulum swings, now violently, now slowly; and every institution not only carries within it the seeds of its own dissolution, but prepares the way for its most hated rival.”

And William Ralph Inge lends credence to these views, but applies it to that very dangerous and often devastatingly misguided and misleading phenomenon, opinion: “Opinion is like a pendulum and obeys the same law.

“If it goes past the centre of gravity on one side, it must go a like distance on the other; and it is only after a certain time that it finds the true point at which it can remain at rest.”

The Pendulum Of Life ,a poem by Bryan Wallace, contemplates the wonder of life:

“…The mainspring unwinds — slowly but surely.

“The clock slows and swinging pendulum stops short.

“…Once it stops it is permanent — never more to chime

“The highlights of each passing hour of life.”

Wallace ends by extolling the virtue of living in and for the present, Our finest hour.

“…Think not of the hours of yesterday that we wasted …

“…Nor can we say for sure that it will be in the future

“Our finest hour is right now — be sure to make it count.”

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