Mastering the Art of Moderation: Navigating the Temptations of the Holiday Season
Attending a private, college-prep high school meant that there was never a shortage of announcements throughout the day. Pledge of Allegiance, Our Father prayers, Hail Mary’s, updates on the latest team sports, clubs, and individual accomplishments.
Most of these announcements were background noise akin to the sound Charlie Brown’s teacher made - “wah, wah-wah wah.” There is one announcement that had staying power. Not because it was all that profound for a group of snarky teenagers, but because it was made consistently, every Friday afternoon, for four years.
The Dean of Students, Mr. Konrad, would come onto the classroom speakers and remind the students that there was an upcoming football game, or that the swim team would be facing their rival in a weekend meet, or that students’ community service logs were due…TODAY! After all of the housekeeping announcements, Mr. Konrad would always finish his Friday schpiel with these words: “And in all things - MODERATION.”
He was right. And more importantly, his advice resonated with a group of wild and crazy teenagers that were going to go out and be wild and crazy teenagers. Preaching abstinence from sex, drugs, and rock & roll would have fallen mostly on deaf ears. By not arguing that the students be prudish and then following it up with the brimstone and hellfire sermon, he simply took a more subtle approach and paraphrased Philippians 4:4-8 “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men.”
Relax. This is not a Bible thumper speech. Rather, it is about moderation, freedom of choice, and the lack of freedom from consequence.
To tell a child, “Never drink pop! Always avoid candy! Football is the debil Bobby Bouche!” Is a losing proposition. That hard line will only serve to make the contraband that much more enticing. It is better to preach the gospel of moderation. That way, when a child does over-indulge, those words will be a subconscious reminder rattling around in their brain. Like the band Cake so elegantly says, “Excess ain’t rebellion.”
As the holiday season’s sweets and treats descends on everyone like freshly formed snowflakes, take a moment to mentally practice the mantra: And in all things - MODERATION. As the office cookies make their way around the building, or the after hours social gatherings become a little too boozy, simply take a moment to reframe the situation, identify what is a reasonable amount of merriment, be moderate, and stay healthy and happy this holiday season.
