The Life-Balloon Theory

Our lives are unbelievably similar to that of a balloon’s. Perhaps, we can learn to how to look at ourselves and find other desirable solutions with the help of this theory.

A balloon is basically a symbol for celebration and happiness. A balloon is made of rubber or latex or any other kind of polymer. Every balloon has a colour affecting its appeal. But a balloon doesn’t become a full balloon without air in it. A balloon becomes full only when there is air in it. Air comes in as the new element here in the theoretical apparatus. In fact, air shapes, defines and fulfils the balloon. It wouldn’t be unjust if we divide balloon into two components: the rubber/physical part and the air, for the further discussion of this theory. Its importance itself makes the physical part of the balloon more vulnerable. Fill in too much air, the balloon will burst and the rubber tears apart. Fill too little air, the balloon looks incomplete. What is the right amount of air a balloon should have to fulfil its ultimate purpose: happiness? Why should we know what’s the perfect amount of air?

Now compare the balloon with life as a whole. The rubber/latex part is our fundamental existence, our personality, our true colour. The thoughts, decision making processes, ideals we create for ourselves, friends and family all are the air. The existence means nothing without people who matter for you and without the thoughts that shape the way you act. You only become full if you have the air and the physical part of it. Fill in too many thoughts and people that lead to no fruit, you’ll rip yourself apart. The question arises again, what is the right amount of air?

Now let’s add more colour and dynamics to it. Here, I’ll talk about the colour of our object and the physics related to it. Every balloon has a colour. We usually choose the colour of the balloons we buy which suits our occasion. On a simplified note, colour becomes the conclusive factor the way people choose it and feel about it. Interestingly, balloons fade away their colour or simply lose their pure colour once the air is filled. An original dark blue balloon may look like a pale blue balloon if we fill air. The amount of air determines the colour range of that particular-coloured balloon. The colour of a balloon when compared to life, is not necessarily a complete physical attribute. We, as humans, hold an aura around ourselves. Our aura influences the people around us. Our appearance (not just physical) impacts the individuals around us. The supreme goal here is to maintain our true colour: our real personality. Suck in or allow too much air, we’ll all lose our true colour, we become pale.

By observing how our colour is changing or how we’re letting ourselves influence others or what impression we are giving to others, we can calculate what’s the desired amount of air you’d like to hold.

Now let’s go into the physics underlying the phenomenon of fading of colour. The polymer (rubber, latex) experiences some amount of tension from within and on the surface. The air we fill in is literally air pressure that we create inside the balloon and the rubber tries to contain the air with its polymeric structure. That explains why colour fades away as we blow air in. More the air, the more the tension. More the tension, the more the chance of the balloon bursting and the rubber tearing apart. We as individuals experience a lot of tension on the surface and from within with the thoughts and the people we hold inside. Going by the looks, a balloon may look nice with air. But the polymer is trying its best to contain the tension created and to stay together. We might also look like we do have all and we’re enjoying it to the ones who see us from outside. But little do the others know that there’s an effort behind the effortless looks. The ultimate goal is to have the right amount of tension and stay together. We cannot negate the necessity of the physical stress just because it takes some energy. Balloons and people are created and designed for that. We are very well equipped with the energy to accommodate the air and control the pressure created. But there is a Bursting Point. Once the balloon reaches its maximum capacity, it bursts. Once we let the stress to reach its maximum, we breakdown. Ironically, it is not always the gradual process of air pressure and tension that leads to breaking down. Sometimes, it just takes a sharp edge or even a needle for that purpose to burst the balloon, to break our life. Such needles and sharp things are inevitable. There is nothing much the objects in theory or the theory can help in preventing that. The only satisfying explanation would be to say, if we hold more air already, the balloons bursts worse and louder than a balloon with comparatively lesser air. Maybe we can limit our air for circumstances like this.

With the analysis of your own stress and being careful about approaching your bursting point, you might as well prevent a complete breakdown. However, life is not all about being prepared for the worst. It is about being the best with what we have and what we can. We as humans, like balloons are very beautiful and vulnerable. Every one of us hold some or the other kind of air, some colour, some appearance and some aura. It is up to us to decide what we want ourselves to be. Even if the theory doesn’t lead to some change or wishful act, it can lead well to an observation of yourself, an analysis of yourself?

How are you doing balloon person? is the air you hold is really worth it? Are you making it too hard for yourself? What aura do you wish to create for yourself? It’s time to introspect.