EVERYTHING IN MODERATION

 

It is a season of dieting in our family. But I am excluded. Everyone else is seen measuring their food in grams at the dining table, and have some quantity of protein, carbs, vitamins, etc. A pic of the plate is taken to send it to the dietician. As I always eat in small portions, focusing more on proteins and reducing my carbs, I don’t have to change my diet. I eat what is healthy and avoid food that is tasty, but not healthy. Rather I don’t give in to the temptation as I know that momentary pleasures will give me everlasting pain. If food is taken in healthy moderation, we can enjoy good health. It is only when we live to eat that we have to fight weight issues, which will later become health issues.

Even in relationships, it is better not to go overboard. If you can be warm, cordial and polite always, that is better than being over-friendly sometimes and then fighting with the other person, not talking to them, speaking ill of them, and turning the relationship sour. We should always enjoy a good relationship with people. How will this be possible? By maintaining a respectful distance. Even if it is our children, there will be times when it will help the relationship if we refrain from talking excessively. I call it restraint. When we cross boundaries, misunderstandings can happen. Human relationships can become volatile, if it isn’t handled with tact. Fire gives you warmth, when you stand a little away. But, it burns you if you go too close. This is true of relationships too. So, a loving relationship, with a polite distance, will always last.

“Moderation in temper is always a virtue: but moderation in principle is always a vice.”

Today screen addiction is common amongst the young and the old alike. We don’t know when to stop. If we can go on a technology detox for a week, we will believe that we are the master of our life. Else we will become victims of technology. Have a fixed time to use your phone. Stick to that. Let it be a limited time. Because you can do so many productive things in life. “That on which you invest time grows. That which is starved of your time shrinks.” Mobile phones have become an addiction for many people. They use it while driving or riding a powered two -wheeler, while eating, while exercising, and till they go to sleep. I have seen little kids being given a mobile phone while their mothers are shopping, as they will not disturb them. Least do they realize the damage it does to a growing child’s brain.

Some people hit the gym with a vengeance, hoping to lose weight overnight. There is a way to begin your exercise regimen. We will only injure ourselves if we overdo. We need to have the patience to achieve our goal. Step by step we need to move forward. What should be done in a month should not be attempted in a day or two. The body has its own limits. Don’t push it too hard. Begin in a gentle way. You should push your body only when it is ready. Just as how the fetus has a period of gestation and is safe only when it comes out at the right time, so also, our muscles will get injured if we attempt a higher weight. Nevertheless, muscles grow only when challenged. You need to take time.

Everything in life should be in moderation, only then will you be able to appreciate and sustain what you have. Moderation is the key.

#Thoughtfulthursdays #nsn #nsnschool #mentoring #parenting