moderation
mɒdəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
noun: moderation
1 1. the avoidance of excess or extremes, especially in one’s behaviour or political opinions. “He urged the police to show moderation”
Why are we not able to live moderately as human beings?
Why do certain aspects in our lives have to be extreme?
Why are we not able to live moderately as human beings?
Why do certain aspects in our lives have to be extreme?
If as a race, we lived a more moderate lifestyle, we could be so much happier. We would have fewer expectations and the pressure wouldn’t be on us. Doesn’t that sound like bliss?
Moderation is a word that is mentioned when during a conversation, such as one has drank or eaten too much or if we have been using our mobile phones too much: however the context fits.
‘Everything in moderation’, we can hear it being said. Some of us nod in agreement and others roll their eyes. When someone says it we also justify it by saying: ‘oh but I don’t have any other vices!’ It can become so tiring.
But why can’t we enjoy that one glass of wine. Or that one bit of cake or chocolate? No! We have to finish the whole packet of biscuits and finish that bottle of wine. We know we will feel rubbish after but we still do it followed by beating ourselves up and making a promise to ourselves that we will not do it again. Is it down to excessive consumerism that we can’t seem to get away from it all?
Food companies probably don’t help, as with tobacco companies, breweries and so on. Yet when we have some sort of mild addiction we justify it to ourselves and to others. Gaming is another example to justify an addiction that we cannot seem to get enough of. There have been many cases of children playing video games so excessively that it creates a monumental issue mentally with powerful withdrawals. I have seen a child have a melt down because he could not play on his Wii. It was shocking to see.
The truth is certain products are destructive to us, if we don’t stop having them in excess. Whether it’s refined carbs, junk food, drugs, tobacco, alcohol or technology we have become addicted and we cannot get enough.
The reward centre of our brain is the reason we are doing this to ourselves as many of us have little control here.
If we spend some time being mindful and develop an awareness of what we are eating or doing then we can manage it. By removing the taste of sugar from of our mouths and to try to quit smoking we can really manage such addictions and be happy with moderation being a regular thing.
But what is wrong with being moderate? Many of you are probably laughing.
Some of us are lucky and some not.
I got accused many times of being addicted to exercise. It’s fair enough but others were more bothered by it. Are they right to be concerned or is it none of their business? I am fairly aware of my obsession to exercising regularly and when others comment I just let them get on with it. It makes me happy but it isn’t alcohol or an addiction to drugs or food. And the reason being is to work out strenuously and to really sweat out toxins and let the endorphins be released. But I don’t spend hours there when there is no need to. Maybe exercise is better for us but at the end of the day you are not able to stop someone doing something, if it brings happiness. That change has to come from them.
Do we live excessively because we can? Is it because we can get away with it?
Life is for living; we all know that. If we have suffered with a disease or condition that has set us back then we tend to make the most of it. But does that mean we have to drink lots of alcohol? Eat all the time? Take drugs and gamble all our savings away? ‘Making the most of it’ is about doing the things we enjoy and make us happy. Taking those days off and doing something that is not part of our every day lives. Like visiting a place that is a once in a lifetime opportunity or attending an event we will only do once. It is also about appreciating life and spending our time in a meaningful way. And doing something that is out of the blue.
How many times have you scoffed down a meal and it has barely touched the sides? In far Eastern places meal times are so sacred and almost ritualistic. My main ritual of the day is to drink my only coffee made the way I enjoy it and to sit on sofa for fifteen minutes and enjoy that moment. I used to drink way too much coffee every day. I rarely enjoy coffee at any other time of the day now.
So moderation is merely a word that some of us are a bit terrified of. Having a good time doesn’t mean you have to drink yourself stupid or smoke twenty cigarettes or even drive a car at high speed. Moderation makes so much sense as we can appreciate what we are doing. And a thing we can do without being stupid for the fear of missing out.
Try it one day; you may even like it!
Originally published at medium.com