“Everything in moderation,” my father said, sitting in his chair behind his desk, raising a glass and sipping at the three fingers of a single malt whiskey he poured only on special occasions. It was both the second and the last time I witnessed this ritual. I had just graduated from college and I was debating on which job offer to accept. He was proud, and I was happy to be the source of his pride.
My father lived every day by the “everything in moderation” rule and though I respected him for it, I also wished he would have pushed the boundaries on occasion and really let loose. I’m pretty sure there are things he would have liked to do before he passed, if that moderation motto hadn’t been holding him back.
Or is that just my perception?
The thing is, I’m also pretty sure he lived his life exactly the way he wanted. He worked hard and made a good living, went to church every Sunday, and he traveled all around the world. So who am I to judge someone else’s life choices, whether moderate or extreme? And for that matter who is anyone else to judge yours or mine?
Today’s advice? You do you. Don’t let other people decide your path for you. We each only have one life. Live yours the way that works best for you.