My grandmother’s favorite saying was “everything in moderation.” She would have been over 90 years old, and I can’t imagine what she’d say about the things that are going on. I mean, “moderation” sounds great in theory, but is it really possible? To do things in moderation, have things in moderation, live in moderation? Well, that to me sounds like, dare I say, balance?! The horror!

I thought of my grandmother’s saying last night as I eyed up a Dora the Explorer dollhouse, retailing at over $90 for my daughter, who turned 3 today. Not to mention, the dollhouse didn’t come with any dolls, furniture, nothing, nada, zip. It was just a dollhouse. By the time I would have made it functional to play with, we would have spent almost $200, and this was just the “one more” gift. We already had a trunk filled with goodies for her. So, obviously, I didn’t go there, thanks to Grandma Millie ringing in my ear, “everything in moderation.”

But, seriously, it took a lot of restraint. I imagined the look on Millana’s little face, and it was hard not to buy it. I imagined her tearing open the wrapping paper, and running around the room screaming, “The Dora Dollhouse!!” However, we have a party tomorrow, a painting pottery party, and lots of expenses with that, and the gifts we already purchased, and the flowers and balloons that were waiting for when she woke up this morning. See- this is how I rationalized last night stopping dead-in-my-tracks at Toys ‘r Us.

Then, of course, after Millana’s gifts were wrapped, I started to think about how brilliant my grandmother’s simple little phrase is, and how I am so lucky to be able to use it in times when “going overboard” might happen, tipping the scales of balance way out of whack! Sure, “everything in moderation” applies to just about “everything”. Think about it, if we practiced this in every aspect of our lives, would anybody be time-crunched, stressed out, unhealthy, unhappy? I don’t think so.

The times in my life that I was a stressaholic, usually happened because I was working too much or not enough, resulting in stress over work or stress over my bank account. The times in my life that I was unhealthy, usually happened because I was eating too much or not enough, resulting in borderline diabetes either way. Time would become an issue when I never said “no” to anything, filling my schedule to the max. I think you get my drift. It’s not just me, my clients site the same types of reasons for being “out-of-balance”, too!

But, then again, I’m a realist. Sometimes, you do have to give it your all, work all hours, take big risks, because ultimately it will end up with bigger rewards, or you realize it’s temporary. There may be times that the cake is just too darn good, and a second piece is calling your name! This doesn’t happen all the time, so it’s alright. I think “balance” means different things to everyone. Heck, even the dictionary doesn’t know exactly what it means, with over 10 meanings for the word!

So, what’s the answer? Ultimately, balance means loving life, enjoying the ride, wherever your ride might take you! I use a ‘smile test’ as a check- if I’m smiling more than I’m frowning, I’m in balance! Misty Gibbs, founder of My Inspiration Lounge dot com says, “If the house isn’t burning down, I’m in balance!”

I say to find your balance- have a sense of humor about it, don’t drown in the negatives, and just practice the good old, simple wisdom of “everything in moderation” !