July 12, 2007 - Daily OM
Health Through Balance
Everything In Moderation
Because life is short, the temptation to overindulge is ever-present.
We want to glean as much pleasure as possible from everything such as
what we eat or what we do. Or, conversely, we are so driven to stay
healthy or be successful that we throw ourselves into exercise or work
with abandon. But the true means of achieving what you want lies not in
overdoing it, but in moderation. A balanced life does not lean in one
direction, but contains a measure of each element: work and play;
friends, family, and solitude; pleasure and abstinence; and necessities
and indulgences. The ancient Greeks practiced moderation in all things,
believing that in excess, virtues became vices. And so it is. Things
that benefit your body and soul in one amount, whether it is
medication, nutrients, forethought, or introspection, can be harmful in
higher amounts.
The concept of moderation is embodied in the middle ground between all
extremes and is thus a source of steadiness. It is simply the capacity
to exercise self-control. Living moderately often means forgoing
short-term pleasures in favor of deeper, long lasting happiness and
considering all aspects of your actions. It also means never
categorizing anything in terms of 'always good' or 'always bad.'
Sleeping in for hours may seem a wonderful idea until you consider the
daytime lost and the difficulty you may have sleeping later. Avoiding
all sweets feels like the healthiest choice, but may not be if it's
making you feel deprived. A strong sense of thrift can become
stinginess just as a strong sense of generosity can become a tendency
to spend beyond your means. The benefits of moderation are said to be a
healthy body, a clear mind, increased vigor, and a welling up of
positive emotions.
Moderation eschews rigid control in favor of allowing you just enough
of any one thing for it to be satisfying, but not enough for it to be
detrimental. Thus, it unlocks a healthy lifestyle without denying any
pleasures, any ambitions, or your changing will, through equilibrium
and equanimity in all things. Living a balanced life leads to rewarding
experiences that not only heal and nurture, but can also fulfill you to
a fantastic degree.