Moderation and Balance

My friend PE once told me that out of the ordinary things in life are often ok - as long as they were held in moderation. Sure you can eat take-out Chinese food (or eat-in Chinese food) at 2:30 in the morning, just don't make it a daily habit. You can drive 700 miles round trip to see your favorite band, but not every weekend. I've come to use this word, this definition, this "moderation" to account for trying new things, but also for responding to disapointments. Last night's football game was one of those disapointments. Its tough to win all the time, its easy to win in moderation.

Arjan calls me balanced sometimes, usually in the face of adversity. I didn't throw anything or smash anything or stomp around - although I could think of a few people I know who might have at the prospect of their team not winning it all. It was a tough loss, but for me, part of the highs and lows of moderation of my last six months.

• I asked Arjan to get married, she said yes
• I ran for re-election and won
• The Boston Red Sox won the World Series
• My friends Mary Ann and Joe both won their elections
• Arjan and I got married
• We got to vacation in Hawaii
• I have a great set of active customers to keep the business going strong
• Mary Ann asked me to be the deputy supervisor of the Town of Dryden
• Jason was appointed to the board
• I have new hope for the nomination and election of Senator Obama

And it wasn't all good of course:

• Arjan's cat got hit by a car while she was in Turkey and I was cat sitting
• My friend Arthur Lomax passed away
• Arjan got in a car accident (totalled the car, but came away without a scratch)
• The Patriots lost the superbowl and blew a 18-0 start to their season

I was very sad when the bad things in life happened. I wasn't angry, though I guess I could have been. I took these events in stride with the very good that has happened. I woke up early this morning, in bed with the love of my life, the girl of my dreams, warm and snug, and while full of ideas about what is next, perfectly content that I have been so lucky. My wife is from Buffalo - so she's got the not winning the championship when it is a sure thing down pretty well. Her strength is mine too.

Today is a new day, I can't wait to see what it brings us.

Comments

[KAZ]

But don't you have an ounce of pity for the poor Giants? They hadn't won in 17 years!

[James]

Here here!! I've been trying to not focus on the past in recent months and enjoy where I am right now. I've found more balance too. Work, love, and life are busy enough to let things in the past and future to burden you more.

Also a new quote I've been saying a lot lately is "Life sometimes gets in the way of life." Think about it, it's so true.

BTW, spring training starts in 2 weeks!! Want to make a Baltimore Sox game? May? August?