The Moderation Talk

I see you are seeking balance in your life.

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How's that going for you? Ever been told to do things "in moderation"? Or that, "with moderation balance can be achieved"? The idea is pervasive in philosophical discussions, religious writings, and self-help books. So, what is "moderation" and who's with (or in) it? And, what the hell does it have to do with balance?

Well, that's the kicker isn't it? Moderation varies by person, place, and instance. There is no actual, quantifiable measurement alloted to "moderation." We're all just supposed to know it when we see it.

So, Who's With It?

Various religious communities espouse beliefs in the positive benefits of living and acting in moderation. Religious texts, scholars, and leaders preach on the subject of moderation. Eastern philosophies seek harmony and balance in a form of moderation training where practitioners avoid extremes. When one seeks more information they're greeted with a plethora of view points which ultimately subscribe to the idea that moderation differs for everyone.

Well.

Isn't that just...life?

Aren't we all playing the balancing cat, erhem, act?

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Those of us who take things "too far"? We're labeled extremists by others. Maybe, we're not extreme. Maybe we're having an "off day." Or, perhaps, we've deprived ourselves of something for so long that we overdo it the first time we let whatever it was back into our lives. Maybe our understandings of "moderation" simply differ; after all, everything is situational. What's extreme to me maybe run of the mill to you. If our situations differ — trust that they do — then it stands that our perceptions also differ. In this case, moderation is situational, based on circumstances unique to each individual, and as such, the achievements — or, lack thereof — are personal. Besides, everyone has extremist moments.

What does it matter?

That's the kicker. It doesn't matter. People tend to project their hopes, fears, and doubts onto others. When a speaker opens their mouth, what comes out is a direct reflection of them, of their perspective drawn from their personal experiences. So, a naysayer won't, regardless of if they could. And, a yes man will, even if they wouldn't. In which case, aren't we back to extremism? Aren't labels like "naysayer" and "yes man" just descriptions of extremists? Two sides of one far out coin? Is not the moderate path-taker the one who alternates their Ayes and Nays? Perhaps, then, moderation is situational flexibility of varying doses based on circumstantial perceptions built off individual experiences.

In short, moderation is abiding.

But, that's just, like, my opinion, man.

The Dude Abides

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Take it easy, Dudes

Follow me on Twitter: @cosmo_crator

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References

Just so we're on the same page, here's some links about moderation:

Moderation on Wikipedia
Not so brief discussion of Moderation.

Moderation on Oxford Dictionaries
Very brief definition of Moderation.

Moderation on Thesaurus
List of synonyms (similar words).

Moderate on Merriam-Webster
Very brief definition of Moderate.

The Great Moderation on Federal Reserve History
Abbreviated history of the financial period known as "The Great Moderation" (approx. 1984 - 2007/8 ?).