Infinite ballast? Ballast was used in ships for the return journey after their cargo had been off-loaded. A stone or other heavy item, like a sandbag, was placed at the bottom of the keel to give the ship stability for its journey home. The word ‘ballast’ is also used in a metaphorical sense to refer to anything that gives sustenance and steadiness to the soul, and it is the premise on which I have established this blog. More →