THE TWO EXTREMES

There are two extremes that can cause unhappiness. One is excesses and on the other side, deficiency. Both can create an imbalance. When one has too little, deprivation is felt. Having too much can also overwhelm.

Those principles are true in my life. I believe that they can influence my achieving a peaceful and harmonious life. Growing up, I was a picky eater. I am very choosy when it comes to food. I do not like eating rice so, as a consequence of this, I ate too little. Hyperacidity was a condition that I had to live with. Concerned, my mom forced me to eat a lot. She did overfeed me and I have to struggle with my extra weight as a result. It also did not help that I got teased a lot for being overweight. I then lost my confidence.

JUST RIGHT

Now, I am eating just right. I lost a lot of baby fats. It is obvious how it is easier to move around with my lighter body. Not to mention how good I look with my comfortable shirts.

What's awesome is that my mom noticed my interest to cook. She did the most admirable move by enrolling me in some cooking classes. That was where I realized that preparing a delicious meal lies in the balance as well. The flavor must not be too bland or salty to be appreciated. "Just right" so to speak.

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GOOD GRADES

As a student, not studying can result in a failing grade while overdoing it may deprive me of the much-needed sleep. It does not help me in my quest to get good grades If I am disoriented or feeling sick the next day. Grades are only one thing that I can achieve to make my parents proud of me. I need to consider other aspects also such as my health, family, friends, hobbies, and recreations to be truly happy.

As a citizen, I believe that Aristotle's Golden Mean can be applied by being watchful to everything that is happening in the country. My parents never failed to remind me to be ready for calamities. We are even prepared with our survival needs and evacuation plans. However, we have to be mindful of not to worry too much to avoid living in fear. Our existence could not be fun if we are paranoid.

"Don't Worry, Be Happy"

Worrying too much can only lead to anxiety and stress. Being too lax on the other hand can prevent one from achieving something. Therefore, efficient time management must be undertaken to balance everything. Have a sense of purpose on top of that. Once this is done, you can really say; "Don't Worry, Be Happy"

Marlon Gary Tan Jr.