Moderation

"Moderation is creating balance in your life. It is having enough – not too much or not too little. It is using self-discipline to keep from overdoing. Moderation is what keeps us from being blown about in the winds of our desires.....With moderation I take care of my health by getting enough of what I need… I balance work and play in my life."

-excerpts from the Virtues cards with permission from The Virtues Project™

What is one virtue I would like as my primary virtue in this new year of 2003? How do I want my life to be this year? What virtues will help me to be my best self? There are many that come to mind: Purposefulness, Patience, Trust, Love, Joy, Peacefulness and Moderation. Moderation is the virtue which balances the others. In talking with a friend this week, we realized that we are strong in our striving for Determination, Excellence, and Orderliness. But sometimes these virtues are a double-edged blade. If we are continually striving for Determination, Excellence and Orderliness, what happens to us and those around us when we don't let up in our pursuit? Does an overabundance of Orderliness take away our Flexibility when it's needed. Is our pursuit of Excellence destroying our health, or Consideration and Gentleness for ourselves and others? Is it possible that too much Determination creates a lack of Tolerance and Creativity? How can we balance our virtues? Moderation might just be the virtue most needed in this New Year!

Questions for reflection:

1. What are three primary virtues I would like to focus on this year?
2. How can I balance those three virtues with other virtues?
3. How will I create more balance in my life this year?

January 2, 2003