Nothing Succeeds Like Excess

For most of my life, I’ve been unable to practice moderation.

Perhaps this is because I believe that if something is worth doing, it’s worth overdoing. I do not present this as wisdom. It may be based solely upon my inability to recognize when I’ve had enough of a good thing.

In 2005 I purchased three jet airplanes.  Then, as now, there was only one of me.  A single private jet would have been more than enough. But no, I needed three.

Consider work. I founded my real estate company in 1968. After many years of success, most people at age 65 would have said, “Well, that was fun. Now I’ll retire.”

Apparently, I misplaced that memo.  At 86, I still work twenty hours a week and tell myself this keeps my mind active.  But it may also mean that after nearly sixty years I still haven’t figured out how to stop doing something I love.

Then there is writing. I’ve published my weekly blog for more than ten years without missing a single week. Posting once a week seems perfectly reasonable until you multiply that by ten years. Then it begins to look less like a hobby and more like a uncontrollable passion.

Now I’m told that blogs are passe, and I should consider a podcast.  Since I have a loyal following, perhaps I’ll find a way to combine the two. Because more of a good thing is always better.  Right?  Hmmmm.

Finally, there is philanthropy. Years ago, I pledged a large amount to the music school at the University of Arizona.  Several years later, the brand-new president of the university lied to me about his intentions and replaced everyone in the music school’s administration, starting with the outstanding Dean. I found myself funding a program I no longer believed in. Fortunately, I succeeded in ending my continuing obligation.  When a good thing ceases to be a good thing, then supporting it no longer makes sense.  In hindsight I should have limited my contribution in the first place.

Yes, excess has its dangers. Too much food makes my scale groan. Too much work crowds out family. Too much generosity without limits may accomplish less than carefully curated caring.

So, I’m not advocating excess.

But I do advocate enthusiasm.

When you love someone, love generously. When a subject fascinates you, follow it farther than you must. When you help, help enough to matter.

As for moderation, I have nothing against it.

I’ve tried it several times.

I just don’t want to overdo it.

Alan