September 16, 2008
Well, here we are - things are at a pretty pass, aren't they?
I believe it is time to celebrate the mild instead of the wild.
To back away from the precipice of extremism, consumption and folly on which we find ourselves, and instead to lie abed, wrap ourselves in the comforts of the middle ground and hug more closely the pillow of reason.
To seek harmony instead of discord.
Reasonability is, of course, the purview of the middle-aged, especially those of us who have unabashedly embraced our middle-agedness. Our bodies are beginning to wear out, and we just can't dance with the abandon we could when we were in our twenties. Or even thirties. We can't drink to excess without feeling like death on a cracker the next day. Or without worrying about our livers. Nature is telling us to back off.
But we also need to back off in the larger sense. Do we really need the 4,000 square foot house? The huge SUV? The 45-inch flat-screen TV? Do we need to eat like we don't know where our next meal is coming from?
(Full disclosure: I do not have any of the above items, not that I haven't wanted them or thought about buying them. Also, I have gained twenty pounds in the last two years, and my knees are starting to hurt.)
Do we have to treat our political campaigns like they were reality shows? How about a little dignity in our discourse?
Certainly self-indulgence is fun. Moderation requires self-control. That's no fun.
Maybe we have had enough fun for now. Or, maybe - just maybe - there is a way to enjoy life with limits.
You know, I am starting to sound just like my mother. But considering that she is one of the most reasonable people I know, that is probably a good thing. Plus, she is 82 and in good health. Perhaps a moderate lifestyle helped her get to this point.
I believe that there are other moderation - seekers out there.
What does moderation look like? How will we know it when we see it? Where do we start in our quest for a consciously moderate, enjoyable life?
These are the questions I am going to explore. With a little help from my two-thousand-year-old friend pictured up there - Aristotle.
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2 comments:
I am reminded of a telling conversation between Dinah Shore and Jackson Browne back at the dawn of the ninth decade of the twentieth century. No, I wasn't a fly on the wall- these two were conversing on television, Dinah's talk show. She remarked on Mr. Browne's youthful appearance and commented "Everything in moderation, right Jackson?" Jackson replied righteously:"That's right. I get wrecked for a few days and then I don't get wrecked for a few days". Surely he was on to something as we abide: "Including moderation".
The previous comment was not really made by stacey, but by an imposter using her account, namely, Jim. But you could probably guess that.
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