While the answers may vary, I would argue that it's moderation more than anything else.
Moderation in our relationships, in our eating habits, in our work and exercise regimen, and so forth.
The dictionary defines moderation as the avoidance of excess or extremes, especially in one's behavior or political opinions.
Synonyms of moderation include self-restraint, self-discipline, and temperance.
In other words, to be moderate is to achieve that happy medium between too little and too much.
So what are some examples?
- Not being too nice, but not being a jerk either.
- Not eating everything in the fridge, but not starving oneself either.
- Not being extremely ambitious, but not resting on one's laurels.
- Not being a compulsive neat freak, but not being a slob.
- Not being a spendthrift, but not being parsimonious.
I know what you're thinking. We all gravitate toward one or the other.
Some of us are helpless slobs or cheapskates, while others couldn't resist pigging out on pizza if our lives depended on it.
But extremes are never good, and they usually require some kind of damage control down the road.
If we continually eat at will, sooner or later we might be forced to go on a diet. And if we spend all summer waiting for a job to come to us rather than going out and pounding the pavement, those mounting bills will compel us to start making some phone calls.
Exercising moderation isn't always easy, but it's something we should aim to do -- and we can get better at it with practice.
While I always encourage people to be themselves, they should always behave sensibly. Never should people do anything destructive that could put them or others in harm's way, or get them in trouble with the law.
While people might think striving for more money or fewer gray hairs is the key to happiness, there's no question they're bound to have a much more balanced life if they live moderately.
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