DUALITY OF HUMANS

Style: Kelly Anne Stapelman, Brandon Roberts Words: Borijana Alia Photo: Jared Osborne Glam: Ava Taconelli

Introvert versus extrovert. Humility versus pride. Happiness versus sadness. These polar opposite traits are often understood as being on separate ends of a spectrum, in which someone typically aligns more directly with one or the other. Yet for many, it’s possible to embody both sides of the spectrum in different ways.

In recognizing the various aspects of one’s personality, it is important to understand the concept of duality. This idea takes these contrasting characteristics and encourages them to work alongside each other. Every trait reflects another to create the best outcome — meaning that one cannot value happiness without having experienced sadness. This relates back to the ancient Chinese philosophy of yin and yang, translating to dark and light. While the two halves are oppositional to each other, both sides must work together to achieve balance and harmony.

To truly understand yin and yang, it is crucial to look at each side individually. Within the symbol, yin is the dark side, often representing feminine energy, coldness, softness or passivity. Think of yin as a woman with shadowy features residing in the moon’s gloom, waiting to come out when her counterpart awakens the light in her. On the other side, yang is the light side, representing masculine energy, brightness and warmth. Imagine yang as a man with radiant features representing the sun’s rays with his energy. Both rely on each other’s actions to complete their own missions, just like the sun waits on the moon to complete its nighttime shadows so that the sun can begin its daytime shine radiant features representing the sun’s rays with his energy.

Although yin and yang are vastly different, one must not overpower the other. There needs to be balance and harmony for the relationship between them to thrive. Yin and yang must actively acknowledge each other’s opposite traits to achieve the benefits of duality — and the same can be seen in people.

Similar to the yin and yang, every individual holds a variety of characteristics and ideals within themselves. And it may not be until someone opposite to them comes along that an individual can recognize the parts of themselves they may need to work on in order to achieve harmony.

Essentially, the key to acquiring a balanced state is through consideration of opposite characteristics and utilizing communication, understanding and patience. Throughout this process, it may be difficult to accept ideas that are unfamiliar or difficult to comprehend. Yet, through mindful communication and hard work, individuals can achieve the keys to duality: balance and harmony.

That is what life is all about — putting yourself first only limits your perspective. Through looking at traits or beliefs that feel foreign to you, you can work to recognize and understand those around you better. Your self-esteem heightens and it may even feel as if almost everything is falling into place just through this simple act. It may initially seem tedious, but the moon needs the sun to come down for the night just as the sun needs the moon to let it rise in the day. Those around us, even with opposite traits, offer us important lessons and can help us achieve this ultimate goal of existence: duality.