I found the following, written August 17, 2005, related to the same topics I’ve been revisiting recently. If you’ve ever heard of Spiral Dynamics, I mention it since I can see how the more recent experiences have taken me deeper.

In so many areas of life we must always be vigilant of our mental, emotional and physical health. Getting involved or caught up in too much of one thing can create a multitude of problems in life. Out at a networking event recently, I had missed dinner but in true form to the crowd and socializing I purchased my first of many beers. I hadn’t intended to stay as late as I did and nor had I intended to carry-on afterwards at a friend’s place. A little excess can be a good thing once in a blue moon.

Having just come back to reality and work the very next day, I’m able to recognize the hazards of letting myself get all caught up in excess. Another networking event tomorrow evening that will be followed by a photo exhibit at another location, it can get a little crazy if I let it get out of hand. Now this is just my [[experience]] and I’m sure there are others who are not concerned one way or the other. There are many who demonstrate excellent [[self-control]] in many situations. Their weakness may lie elsewhere. I believe we all have a weak spot in our lives.

At the networking event I learned of a dear friend who is over-working himself. The company is insisting he cut back to no more than 2 hours each day of the weekend. I was surprised and not surprised. This guy is very passionate and committed to excellence. The tragedy is that his truest [[artist]] isn’t allowed out to play anymore. I’ve seen some of his work. He’s an incredible artist and that talent is lying dormant crying for release. Our spirit yearns to demonstrate our beauty to the world. This includes the good work he’s doing for his company but not at the expense of the rest of your soul.

Initially, we can completely lose sight of dangers of excess. In the beginning it’s just an exception as it’s a busy week. One week stretches to two or three and before you know it, you’re whole life revolves around work. Or, this week there happened to be more events crammed together, an unusual occurrence. I’m not going to let it get out of hand. But in the past, somewhere along the way, I have lost my sight. I no longer kept my eye on the ball, on the real reason I’m here. How do we express our fullest self?

Everything in moderation, everything in balance; trial and error is a good teacher, learning to juggle, to have patience and trust that the things that need to get done will get done, and ability to remember that you have the power to say no. My focus is not on the danger as much as it is on the [[choice]]. To recognize when I’m in situations that could backfire. I remind myself to keep my eye on the ball; why am I doing what I’m doing? I want to check-in with my soul and be sure that I haven’t lost sight of my truest passion in life; not just the distractions.

Finally, I don’t need to run from the challenge. I am a physical being. Desire exists to experience life, to experience the textures and tastes, and to learn from a spiritual place, or holistic and balanced perspective. I can dance among the snakes. I can walk on water; the emotional stormy seas of life.

The beautiful thing is we all can! It doesn’t come easy initially, and I’ve tripped along the way. It takes careful observation of oneself, the thoughts and emotions, deciphering their significance, and maintaining a perspective of observer of the experiencer; not from the experiencer perspective. This is a bit of challenge and a fun one at that. It just requires a curious look at oneself frequently. To see yourself as something more, you begin to access more. It’s all in the flow and faith.