Tantalizing temptations tease and toy with our emotions every day on this incredible journey we call life. Our capacity to manage and control our reaction to temptations defines our success.
We should enjoy this one-time ride as much as possible. It is common to imagine satisfying our every whim and desire in the moment will bring true happiness and fulfillment. On the contrary, too much of a good thing can be toxic.
Let’s take the example of food. We are fortunate to live in a land of abundant delicacies which are the ingredients of so many spectacular meals. Eating the right things moderately, such as fruit and vegetables, is the life source for a healthy mind and body. Eating too much of even a good thing is a sure recipe to extreme discomfort.
Let’s look at several examples:
Drinking a glass of wine vs. drinking an entire bottle
Eating a scoop of ice cream vs. eating the whole carton
Working a productive 8 hour day vs. working 24 consecutive hours
Taking a weekend rest vs. two years of an unpaid “mental sabbatical”
Exercising a half hour several times a week vs. infrequent extreme physical activity resulting in a lot of pain
What can we do?
There is much more to a certain stimulus than just the immediate pleasure caused. By focusing on the events leading up to and following a particular event, we can extend the pleasure and maximize enjoyment. For example, curiously we frequently enjoy planning and looking forward to a trip almost as much, and sometimes even more, than the event itself. When we return from a trip our mood is typically much more pensive and serene.
When we enjoy the time thinking and planning for something in addition to the event itself, we can stretch each and every ounce of gratification from even the simplest pleasures in life.
The secret of achieving success does not depend on the number of hours we work, rather our effectiveness while we work. It’s not the amount, rather the quality which counts. Unfortunately, many relate instead only the number of hours worked as a measure of productivity.
Understanding this principle leads to temperance in all phases of our lives. When we work, let’s work intensely for a predetermined amount of time. When we rest, let’s relax fully and completely to regenerate. When we eat, let’s savor each and every bite and do so moderately.
Generally, it’s not the “things” which are dangerous, rather our abuse of them which creates unfortunate consequences. We can intensify pleasure and satisfaction by moderating our whims and desires with wit and wisdom.
Being temperate and moderate leads us to continued fulfillment with life’s simplest pleasures. A life overloaded with work or dominated with leisure frequently leads to imbalances causing pain and agony. When we live each instant as if it were our last and plan as if we were to live an eternity; we establish a base and foundation to bounce back in even the most difficult circumstance.
It’s the Bounce that Counts!
∞ Rob McBride ∞
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