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A pendulum can be soothing to watch as the rhythm of the back, and forth motion sets a resonate pace. And if it is accompanied by a ‘tick-tock’ from an old grandfather’s clock, the effect is almost hypnotic. For a Foucault pendulum, if the length of the rod is long enough and the bob at its end heavy enough, we can also get a sense of the rotation of the earth we all live on because the pendulum does not return to the same point – the ground has moved beneath it.

 We often use the analogy of a pendulum when we discuss change – like a pendulum, societies are constantly in motion and ever-changing. Many pundits use this analogy to describe the swing in voters’ preferences to a conservative or liberal direction as if their individual ideals are at opposite ends of the pendulum’s arc. They inevitably note that a swing to one direction will often be followed by a swing to the opposite direction; sooner or later. I’ve used this same analogy myself, but I think I’m selling it short.

Truth be told, I don’t want the pendulum to swing back to the same place. Instead, like Foucault’s pendulum, I want it to turn back to a different place, a better place. I want my neighbors to have secure jobs, reliable and affordable medical care, and access to affordable education for themselves and their children. I want to face our challenges confidently and arrive at a better place – together. There is no better time than now while the pendulum is in motion. In this, I am reminded of the quote from Mother Teresa:

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.

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Kevin Deeny