It’s important to remember that in matters of health (as in life) the key word is: Moderation.

You can eat what you want, drink what you want, do what you want, as long as you practice moderation.

But, unfortunately, those who resort to excessive behavior are usually the ones who are saddled with feelings of low self-esteem. They are often over-zealous fanatical sports fans who abandon their favorite team for another as soon as it starts losing, because they lack the ego strength to be identified with failure. They are animal rights fanatics who throw human urine on other people who happen to be wearing fur coats, or they are pro-life advocates who see nothing wrong with taking a doctor’s life to show their strong religious beliefs regarding abortion. They talk excessively, even pray excessively.

In contrast, individuals with some degree of high self-esteem keep their lives in harmony and balance, and practice moderation. Over time, as you track your own behavior, it will become clear to you how you feel about yourself as you observe any excesses. Excessive behavior should set off an alarm within each of us that we are following a path that is not in our own best interest.

In his book, Many Lives, Many Masters, Dr. Brian Weiss, quoting a past master, wrote: “Happiness is really rooted in simplicity. The tendency to excessiveness in thought and action diminishes happiness. Excesses cloud basic values. Happiness comes from filling one’s heart with love, from faith and hope, from practicing charity and dispensing kindness. Given those attitudes, balance and harmony usually follow.”