Albert Einstein, a renowned and globally revered German-born theoretical physicist, is best known for his theory of relativity. He received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 because of his contributions to theoretical physics and his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.
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Beyond his much-celebrated scientific achievements, Albert Einstein also had a very profound outlook on life, expressing deep philosophical insights in simple, easy-to-understand metaphors. On February 5, 1930, the scientist wrote a letter, sharing thoughtful life advice with his son, Eduard.
Albert wrote in the letter, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
Even today, this quote continues to resonate with people and inspire them, reminding them about life’s learning curve. Now, let’s take a quick look at what this quote means and why it stands true even almost a century later.
What does it mean?
The quote is deceptively simple but holds a deeper meaning. The scientist compared life to riding a bicycle. Much like how, while riding a bicycle, you need to maintain balance to keep pedalling forward, otherwise you will fall over, Einstein implied that in life too, prioritising balance is essential to sustain momentum.
One may think that speed is what propels a bicycle forward and helps cover distance quickly, but in reality, it is something as rudimentary as balance that makes the journey possible in the first place. Without it, not only does the momentum stop, but you risk falling off altogether and being forced off the ride.
How is it relevant in today’s time?
This quote is especially relevant and relatable in today’s time. With hustle culture mushrooming everywhere, it has become the new normal to juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously, from work commitments to personal life, often disregarding the importance of balance and boundaries being crossed in the process.
While such an approach may quickly deliver short-term results, it is rarely sustainable in the long run. This constant grind without any healthy balance may lead to burnout, exhaustion, and ultimately force one to slow down or give it up entirely. Speed is not what determines the progress and way forward. As Einstein reminded, balance is the secret ingredient.
