everything in moderation

Have you ever noticed the only time we’re told to consume something in “moderation” is when it’s not the best thing for us?

Going to give up sweets? Why would you cheat your Self of those treats you like? You don’t have to give them up–everything in moderation completely.

Going to give up caffeine? Why would you do that? It’s not bad for you if you have just a little–everything in moderation.

Going to stop drinking alcohol? What will you do in a social setting when everyone’s having a drink? Everything in moderation.

While I think most things in moderation are probably ok, I also wonder who came up with the comeback of “everything in moderation”? Why do people feel the need to encourage you not to give something up that you’ve decided doesn’t align with your Pursuit anymore? Is it because they want to do the same, but don’t have the conviction to stick with it? Is it because they don’t want to be alone on the side of the equation that might be “wrong”?

Why, instead of saying, “good for you” do they always try to keep you with just a little of what you’re looking to get rid of?

If we look at sweets, and selfishly, this is an area that I want to focus on this year, I wonder if the “everything in moderation” comes from the companies making the foods I want to eat less of and eventually none of. I can’t find any science suggesting that my body needs any of the sweet treats I eat–yes, I may enjoy them, but my body does not get anything positive from these foods. In fact, the ingredients in them and the way food is made today are harming my body more than the enjoyment I get from consuming them–even in moderation.

I’ve read that individuals who have given up sweets see that their taste buds change and that the sweetness of fruit begins to provide the same enjoyment and fulfillment as the manufactured sweets they gave up. So, I would not be cheating my Self out of the enjoyment I initially feel eating some candy (this is often an accompanying statement to everything in moderation) because I will find that same enjoyment eating some fruit.

If we all shifted from manufactured sweets to natural sweets, the businesses relying on us to consume their products would see their balance sheets shrink, which is bad for business. These companies know that as long as we consume their goods “in moderation” we’ll always be hooked, and we will most likely consume more than a moderate amount because they’ve engineered their products to be almost addictive—if they can keep a little bit in our system we’ll keep coming back for more..

So “everything in moderation” keeps us in their ecosystem by fooling us into thinking that we’re in control.

Disclaimer: this is used as an example of how “everything in moderation” may not be used for your best interest but positioned to look like it is. This isn’t an attack on anyone who consumes the foods I’m suggesting be given up–I still consume these foods but am shifting my mindset to eventually drop them. I am an individual caught in the “everything in moderation” trap.

I also find it interesting that “everything in moderation” is rarely a response you receive when sharing a change you want to make for the better.

Looking to get more sleep?
Going to start working out more?
Going to watch less TV and read more?

No one ever responds with “everything in moderation” to these goals.

I’ve written and spoken about the importance of understanding whose life you are living and controlling your mind as you pursue your authentic life, and “everything in moderation” might be being used as a subtle way to keep you from fully living your life the way you want. If you are intent on being in control of your life, it is important to at the very least understand the motivation behind the influences on your decisions–and if you decide a moderate amount of something aligns with your authentic life, then I see no problem with it because you are in control of your decision.

And what do I know, maybe everything in moderation is exactly what you want and need for your authentic life.

See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,

JC