don's report archive
Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)
Saturday March 24, 2001
Yes, that's an oxymoron but a deliberate one, as was Disraeli's line to the effect that there is moderation even in excess (Vivian Grey, 1826). I wanted to get your attention.
How many times have you heard someone say, "I believe in moderation in all things?" Probably often, as it seems -- at first glance -- like a reasonable position. Unfortunately, it isn't. It is, in fact, a truly ludicrous position and people who think this way should be shot!
Why, it is the dumbest thing I have heard since the notion, also often repeated by well-intended but benighted folks, that the ancient Chinese were wise to pay their doctor when patients were well, rather than when sick. This, of course, is silly because it implies that health is a condition of good doctoring, when in fact it is a consequence of wise living. A doctor is not needed to be well; only to make repairs when not well.
Moderation is pretty good most of the time but it will never do as a sweeping rule to cover all cases, at least not for wellness seekers. It is just peachy to be moderate in the pursuit of certain vices (like alcohol bibulousness and junk food consumption). But just because it is wise in some cases, is it always wise?
I think Spinoza got it right (around 1670) in Ethics: It is the part of the wise man to feed himself with moderate pleasant food and drink. It is even swell to be moderate in the conduct of certain unchallenging, uninteresting but culturally necessary duties (like making a bed). But, the quality of life is measured not in the middle of the road but in the consciousness-raising hairpin turns and pathways unclogged by the herd, the followers, and all who seek but "safe" journeys.
Do you really want to be moderate in the use of products that are best avoided in the extreme? Examples might be cigarettes, drugs, humorless people, and cultures of negativity and bitterness. No, these are to be avoided in the extreme! These are examples of "negative moderation" -- enough said.
How about "positive moderation?" But why be moderate about certain of the most valued of life's delights? Who wants to be moderately well? Have a moderate amount of fun? Or, a moderate number of passions and moderate range of great experiences in life? Not many who think about it!
Choose immoderation! Be immoderately successful in pursuing a richly rewarding life of purpose and service, one filled with passions and loves, joys and daily causes for jubilation. Be moderate in some things but passionately outside the range of normalcy in those limited number of things that really matter -- to you.
The next time someone lectures you about moderation in all things, make the case for eschewing extreme moderation. Tell him or her you prefer to be immoderate or extreme about self-management for lifestyle artistry.
And keep looking on the bright side of life.
(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)
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