Point of Balance

I rolled a dark green hexagonal pencil onto the center of the desk mat, then laid a clear acrylic ruler across it to make a pivot. When I stepped onto the far end, the plastic tilted down instantly with a sharp tap against the mat. I did not rush. Shifting my flat feet forward by measured inches, I moved toward the midpoint. At the exact six-inch line, the tilted end lifted smoothly off the surface. Both edges hovered parallel to the tabletop in the warm lamp glow. I stood upright in the middle, keeping the level steady.