"Moderation is the silken thread running through the pearl chain of all virtues." Joseph Hall
Sometimes on the every-day-a-thon of life we can get very out of balance. Moderation has been my greatest challenge virtue. (okay, maybe it's a tie between moderation and orderliness)
Linda Kavelin Popov, co-founder of the Virtues Project and author of A Pace of Grace, The Virtues of a Sustainable Life learned the hard way about the importance of moderation when her practice of being everything to everyone, what she calls the E type personality, resulted in being blindsided and laid low by post polio syndrome.
Those of us with energy illnesses are often the people who push themselves to the limit, over and over again, seemingly unable to practice moderation. I have learned the need to practice moderation over and over again in my life, since coming down with the mysterious syndrome we call Fibromyalgia. And when I practice moderation, my symptoms improve and my energy increases. Then once I've been feeling fabulous for a while, the old pattern of over doing rears its head once again.
From fall into winter this past year, my life became anything but moderate. It's easy for me to get out of balance. It's a long standing pattern in my life.
Between work and campaigning and service, I lost track of my time to just be. And my body has been telling me in no uncertain terms that the way I've been putting out is not sustainable. (ouch)
Today, my family had a virtues pick. And one of us chose moderation. Though it wasn't the virtue that came to me, I knew it was one I want and need to cultivate as I take up my duties in 2012 as newly elected municipal councillor and seek once again the balance that comes with moderation.
Over the holidays, I passed my long neglected harp with the several broken strings and sadly realized that what I need more of in 2012 is to make the time to play. (and a new set of harp strings) Not just play the harp, but read more novels, do more soul collage, throw more pots. (and do more pottering - just taking an afternoon now and then to do whatever calls to me around the house)
Maybe after reading about it, you'll discover you could use more moderation too.
"Moderation is being content with enough. It is using self-discipline to create healthy balance between work, rest, reflection and play. Moderation protects us from the pull of addictive desires. We do not grasp to do or have more in the belief that we are lacking. We do not try to be everything to everyone. We set healthy boundaries that value our time and energy. We protect ourselves from the stress of overdoing. We discern our own perfect rhythm. Moderation isn't deprivation. It is loving ourselves enough to choose what is just right." LKP
Just over three years ago, I made a commitment to write this blog each and every month. I wanted to be trustworthy. To my surprise, I've kept the commitment with the help of self-discipline.
Now I'm going to use self-discipline and moderation to help me keep my commitment to balance and moderation in my life. To my morning yoga practice I am going to add sitting meditation. I'm going to buy harp strings, take another pottery class and create a space for soul collage. This afternoon I even took a nap, a luxury I rarely afford myself. I'm going to ask for more cooperation from the people I live with around household chores so that the time I need to play is easily found.
If I'm not grounded, centered and energized, what good could I possibly be to others or the world?
Tich Nhat Hanh said, "If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work."
As we enter a year that appears poised to bring dramatic and sweeping global changes - politically, economically and environmentally, I've come to realize that one of the best things I can do for the world is to practice moderation in my own life so that when I do show up to serve my community, I'm coming from a good place.
Sometimes on the every-day-a-thon of life we can get very out of balance. Moderation has been my greatest challenge virtue. (okay, maybe it's a tie between moderation and orderliness)
Linda Kavelin Popov, co-founder of the Virtues Project and author of A Pace of Grace, The Virtues of a Sustainable Life learned the hard way about the importance of moderation when her practice of being everything to everyone, what she calls the E type personality, resulted in being blindsided and laid low by post polio syndrome.
Those of us with energy illnesses are often the people who push themselves to the limit, over and over again, seemingly unable to practice moderation. I have learned the need to practice moderation over and over again in my life, since coming down with the mysterious syndrome we call Fibromyalgia. And when I practice moderation, my symptoms improve and my energy increases. Then once I've been feeling fabulous for a while, the old pattern of over doing rears its head once again.
From fall into winter this past year, my life became anything but moderate. It's easy for me to get out of balance. It's a long standing pattern in my life.
Between work and campaigning and service, I lost track of my time to just be. And my body has been telling me in no uncertain terms that the way I've been putting out is not sustainable. (ouch)
Today, my family had a virtues pick. And one of us chose moderation. Though it wasn't the virtue that came to me, I knew it was one I want and need to cultivate as I take up my duties in 2012 as newly elected municipal councillor and seek once again the balance that comes with moderation.
Over the holidays, I passed my long neglected harp with the several broken strings and sadly realized that what I need more of in 2012 is to make the time to play. (and a new set of harp strings) Not just play the harp, but read more novels, do more soul collage, throw more pots. (and do more pottering - just taking an afternoon now and then to do whatever calls to me around the house)
Maybe after reading about it, you'll discover you could use more moderation too.
"Moderation is being content with enough. It is using self-discipline to create healthy balance between work, rest, reflection and play. Moderation protects us from the pull of addictive desires. We do not grasp to do or have more in the belief that we are lacking. We do not try to be everything to everyone. We set healthy boundaries that value our time and energy. We protect ourselves from the stress of overdoing. We discern our own perfect rhythm. Moderation isn't deprivation. It is loving ourselves enough to choose what is just right." LKP
Just over three years ago, I made a commitment to write this blog each and every month. I wanted to be trustworthy. To my surprise, I've kept the commitment with the help of self-discipline.
Now I'm going to use self-discipline and moderation to help me keep my commitment to balance and moderation in my life. To my morning yoga practice I am going to add sitting meditation. I'm going to buy harp strings, take another pottery class and create a space for soul collage. This afternoon I even took a nap, a luxury I rarely afford myself. I'm going to ask for more cooperation from the people I live with around household chores so that the time I need to play is easily found.
If I'm not grounded, centered and energized, what good could I possibly be to others or the world?
Tich Nhat Hanh said, "If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work."
As we enter a year that appears poised to bring dramatic and sweeping global changes - politically, economically and environmentally, I've come to realize that one of the best things I can do for the world is to practice moderation in my own life so that when I do show up to serve my community, I'm coming from a good place.
I invite you to consider doing the same.
May 2012 be a year of joy and peace for you and yours and may you take hold of the silken thread of moderation to help you string together a life that serves and delights you as well as serving whatever community you find yourself in.
Namaste
~ Kate
The Practice of Moderation
I spend my time and energy sustainably.
I remember to pray and to play.
I am free of addictions.
I carry responsibility wisely.
I protect myself from the stress of excess.
I live gently and gracefully.
Reflection questions
What represents play to me?
How can I allow myself to play more?
What practices would help me to live a more sustainable life?
How can I live more gently and gracefully?
I spend my time and energy sustainably.
I remember to pray and to play.
I am free of addictions.
I carry responsibility wisely.
I protect myself from the stress of excess.
I live gently and gracefully.
Reflection questions
What represents play to me?
How can I allow myself to play more?
What practices would help me to live a more sustainable life?
How can I live more gently and gracefully?
Posts
