Too Much of a Good Thing...

Moderation really is the key.

I worked with a camp counselor in college who swore that citrus was the key. But moderation is truly the key.

• Some people like it hot and some like it cold. Too hot or too cold sucks for everyone.
  
• You should be nice, but not too nice. And yes, it's possible to be too nice.
  
• Be cautious, but not too cautious.
  
• Think things through, but don't overthink. Most things aren't riddles. If you just can't seem to figure out a problem - you might be the problem.
  
• Do your job, but don't make it your life. If the only new thing you ever have to report to friends and family is about work - get a life. Or fix it.
  
• Eat right, but not too right. Don't be Louie Anderson, but really don't be Karen Carpenter. Of the two, the one who didn't sing "We've only just begun to live..." is the one who's still living.
  
• Be sensitive, but not too sensitive. Sensitivity breeds tact. Too much sensitivity breeds complete self-absorbtion.
  
• Exercise, but don't overdo it. If you spend nearly all day, every day thinking about your body, or working hard to improve it - and it's not physical therapy - you're shallow and self-absorbed.
  
• Be firm, when you need to, but not too firm. Don't be a door mat, but don't make conflict your thing. Be like the Russian Police...stern, but fair.
  
• Commit to things, but don't over-commit. It's one of the jacked up things with our society. Your value isn't determined by how many things you're involved in. A kid should be on a team, but he shouldn't always rush from school to soccer to karate to Boy Scouts (grab a burger) to Indian Guides to BSF to church to bed. Somebody needs to smack, punch, pile-drive, and whip some sense into parents who make their kids do that. Parents who are, themselves, that busy should be kneecapped. Have them stop by anytime.
  

But you can't smile at your kid too much. Unless it's while you're spanking him or putting him to bed. Then you look like a total psycho. And make sure you blink - it's freaky looking to smile all the time and not blink.