27 Jan 14 Wisdom Ideas for Seeking Moderation as a Tool for Daily Living
“Not everything that is faced can be changed: but nothing can be changed unless it is faced.” — James Baldwin
Think about how easy it is to get caught up in pursuing more of everything you enjoy. Now, think of moderation as the space between extremes—it acts as fulcrum working to maintain synergy in your life. Moderation also has just as many faces as excess. Both are related to self-mastery. Seeking moderation is a wise path to a happy and meaningful life.
So, what are some practical ways to achieve synergy in your life? Do you believe that seeking moderation is a tool that can yield a payoff in your daily life?
Your success lives and dies by your habits. Your positive habits propel you forward withouteffort. Your negative habits act as an anchor and keep you stuck in your current situation.
Creating positive habits and dropping negative habits can push you up to a new level of success.
Answer these questions to gain a better perspective of how negative habits in your life just might be holding you back, and how you can regain control.
Let’s Consider These General Principles of Moderation
- Cultivate good habits. Be intentional about moderating a balance between your daily habits. Start with simple daily choices that build a strong foundation. Do you have the will to skip the second helping of dessert? Or clear out at least one shelf at a time in your garage? Cultivating change is the true power of being human.
- Be flexible. Moral evaluation gets complicated pretty quickly. Keep an open mind to finding new approaches to common dilemmas, managing relationship conflicts, or sticking to your budget. Seek feedback from others you know, like, and trust while crafting solutions that work for you.
- Become more mindful. Be in the moment. Tune into the pleasures that already surround you. Savor the aroma of your morning coffee. Listen to the harmonies of the birds welcoming the dawn. Be in the moment of peak enjoyment, without being distracted. Learn to be in a state of flow where everything is just right.
- Learn how habituation works. Our brains get used to the same old stimulation . It eventually stops responding. Habitation is a gradual decrease in response after repeated stimulation. That’s why the excitement over a new car disappears so quickly. Good character and spiritual accomplishments last much longer.
- Delay gratification. Quite simply delay gratification is the ability to wait to get what you want. The shortcut path to getting what we want often has unintended or unwanted consequences. Putting off gratification is one of the most effective skills for success in life. Increase your patience and savor the experience of anticipation.
- Develop your temperance. Temperance is different from denial. It’s much more focused on self-regulation. You can still have a good time. Just buy the one pair of shoes you really love instead of buying out the whole store. Do not give in to temptation based a mere whim or short-term desire.
- Set a good example. Moderation will also help you become a better role model. Your kids will see how to live well and find true happiness. You may need to explain your newfound sense of moderation if it requires changing some old house rules.
Applying Moderation in Specific Circumstances
Avoiding extremes is good advice for all our daily activities. Practicing moderation will help you to better enjoy your current blessings and welcome more good things into your life.
- Watching your diet. Crash diets can undermine your health. Many people gain back more weight than they lose in the first place. Aim for a nutritious eating plan that fits your lifestyle.
- Enriching your friendships. Be a good friend. Act generously and respectfully towards others while fulfilling your own needs. It will promote true harmony.
- Improving your love life. Crushes usually fizzle out quickly. Pay attention to your existing obligations and social circle. See where a new love interest may lead. New relationships should be a good fit for your overall life.
- Managing your money. Sound financial planning will enable you to spend, save and invest according to your own personal income level and net worth. Economic security can increase your options in life and work wonders for your peace of mind.
- Taking risks. Getting ahead often means venturing beyond our comfortable boundaries. A careful assessment of risks and benefits will help protect you from rash decisions or missed opportunities. Consider the opportunity cost of taking a risk.
- Limiting your time online. Use your leisure time to grow closer to family and friends and expand your education by switching off the TV sitcoms and setting time limits on video games and web surfing. Use the time to invest the quality of your life.
- Developing positive self-esteem. A healthy sense of self keeps excessive vanity or modesty in check. Celebrate your achievements. Yet acknowledge how much you still have yet to learn.
FAITH APPLICATION
“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”
— Proverbs 25:28 NLT
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