Be moderate in everything…including moderation.” -Dad,
though he stole it from Harace Porter, Oscar Wilde, or Harvey Steiman.
I haven’t the time to figure out which.
My dad used to say this when I was a kid in reference to questions like “Is cheese bad for you?” He usually said, “Everything in excess is bad for you. Too much mayonnaise is bad. Too much water can be bad. To much exercise can be bad.
Although, too much water is kinda cool. You develop water toxicity or hyponatremia. Theoretically your cells could explode as your body tries to equalize your electrolytes! Look it up!
What was I talking about…
Yes. Moderation. Too much of anything good can be bad. So moderate.
However, my teenage mind concluded my father was saying that not enough bad was also bad.
This led to much fun.
Dad: Why did you take my car without asking?
Son: I was only moderately disobeying. Thought we agreed that was cool?
Obviously, this is not what he meant.
He meant, as a rule do the best for yourself. Every once in a while, though, treat yourself.
(And not at the expense of others. Unless, its going to be REEEAAALLLY funny.)
I believe this is the best answer for finances and diet.
Drinking everyday: bad.
Drinking once a week: fine (not to the point of blacking out or losing your sh..)
Cussing all the time bad: bad.
Cussing only when you really mean it: fine (Thanks, Kevin Bacon!)
Going to the movies once a day: bad.
Once or twice a week or month: okay.
And how are these other decisions relative to your other decisions.
For example, if you are spending wisely, a movie a week not so bad.
If you spent all your money eating out all week, a movie might be one more moderately wasteful decision.
Its no as hard as I’m making it sound.
When dad was a kid, back in the 20’s, his treat, on Friday or Saturday night, was that he got to SPLIT an 8 oz Coca-Cola with one of his siblings.
That’s 4 oz of soda A WEEK.
Most of your kids, and probably you, drink more than this at a single meal.
No offense, I don’t make that statistics.
You and them drink it moderately.
And that is unhealthy moderation.
When it came to his kids and soda,
my grandfather moderated the moderation.
Which was good.
However, when it came to him
he drank alcohol moderately.
Which was bad.
Understand the difference?
Stay Healthy. Do the Work.
Tags: healthy tip
Awareness Bracelet: "Save Colin – Terminate the Tumor!"
“hold your wee for a wii” contestant death. ’nuff said.