Column 05 – Too Much of a Good Thing by The FlyLady, Marla Cilley

 I got up in the middle of the night with this one thought on my mind, “Too much of a good thing is a bad thing!” The example that came to mind was my assistant Michele. A couple of years ago she got addicted to her daily walk. She could not wait to get home and jump in her workout clothes and head to the park. Eventually she was doing five miles all because she could not stop herself. It was feeling so good. We have all heard about a runner’s high. When those endorphins kick in we do not feel any pain. This is when we get hurt. Michele’s over enjoyment of her daily walk soon hurt her so that she could not walk without pain. She has spent eighteen months going to doctors, physical therapy, and exercising to relieve the pain. 

Did you know that there is a balance to everything in our lives. With our “all or nothing” personalities we tend to go to the extremes on most everything we do. I have realized that when someone reads my messages that this “all or nothing” attitude clouds their vision and they read exactly what they want to see or the direct opposite. What I am striving for is a balance in all things. Too much of a good thing can be as bad as a bad thing.  Try eating a whole chocolate cake and you will see what I mean.

This all comes back to haunt us in our perfectionist attitude toward our home. If we think we don’t have enough time to do something right; we do nothing and our messy homes are the result of that attitude. The reverse is also a problem; Cleaning till it is perfect or until you drop dead because the in-laws are coming. This is our crash and burn perfectionist attitude.

Balance is the key in all things; Work a little and rest a little! This goes for your mind too. If you are continually angry then you expend your energy on this anger. When it comes time to really be angry then you have nothing left. We have a tendency to be an adrenaline junky! You know how we have always prided ourselves in being at our best when we are on a deadline. This is not a good way to live. The continual pumping of adrenaline into our bodies is harmful to our immune systems. When we do need that extra boost it will be gone. Our immune systems are stressed to the max, this is why we are sick a lot.

It takes all different perspectives to make this world run. I am very thankful for our diversity in all things. All I really want for you to do is follow your heart and stay balanced. This means not to let the events take over your life and terrorize you and your babies. Let’s do what we can, where we are, with what we have; If you choose to protest on either side then so be it. But don’t disrupt the peace that is in your home with any kind anger. Life is too short.  And this is not sticking my head in the sand either!

I want for you what I have found, Peace from having a balance in my life. When I catch myself out of balance I have to stop everything and ask myself these questions. H.A.L.T. Don’t get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or too Tired or too Thirsty.  This is when I let go and take care of me. Let’s face it: If you don’t take care of you; Who will? Are you ready to FLY with me?

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