Saturday, August 28, 2010

The distance between excess and deficiency

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It's been about thirty some odd years that I've been on my journey of life. And I think I'm just now beginning to understand and appreciate the virtue of living in moderation. Aristotle speaks of virtue to be habit or a trained faculty. Saying that I've had to train myself to search for the mean in life is a huge understatement. He goes on to allude that the mean will be different for different people. That living in virtue and happiness is relative and not mathematical in nature. Thank goodness!

I have come to the conclusion that the only way to truly celebrate life and squirm around in the rich decadence that is waiting beyond every corner is to live in moderation. (most of the time) It seems really simple, but in this overindulging society we live in there are so many that take it to the extreme, myself included for these past 33 years. But I have discovered I simply enjoy pleasure much more deeply if it's special....and isn't that the point....to enjoy it?

"With regard to pleasantness in amusement, he who observes the mean may be called witty, and his character wittiness; excess may be called buffoonery, and the man is a buffoon; while "tedious" may stand for the person who is deficient, and "tediousness" describes his character. "

I had to read all the way to the end to make it to my favorite part. Since my focus lately has been on trying to extract pleasure from life.

I'm having a rough couple of days in the "joy-finding" department. I'm hoping soon to see how I can figure this thing out. Guessing and second guessing and third guessing myself is exhausting. And at the end of the day, I'm the only one who has to live with the consequences I suppose. As much as I seek moderation, I think it doesn't exist in all scenarios. I guess that would be all too easy. My brain is starting to smoke so I suppose this is all for now. I think I kinda took a turn for the vague, but oh well.

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