Word to the Wise

cloy–verb
1. to weary by an excess of food, sweetness, pleasure, etc.; surfeit; satiate.
2. to become uninteresting or distasteful through overabundance.

You've no doubt heard that quote "Everything in moderation."

That includes chocolate, beer, love, and, yes, broccoli.

Even things which are good for us become our worst enemy when consumed in mass quantities. It's essential to cut ourselves off at an acceptable point before our consumption takes a toll on us.

In addition to being bad for us, certain surpluses can lead to a lack off interest in what once used to excite us. Like the 2nd definition of today's "Word to the Wise" suggests, we become uninterested due to this overabundance.

For example, I love dumplings. You wrap anything up in a tight little won ton wrapper and I'll eat it. One night, I tried my hand at my own home-made pork dumplings-75 of them.

By the time I got to my 25th dumpling (I'm not kidding you…) I felt nauseous. I gave the rest to friends and vowed to never make them on my own again to avoid the same gluttony.

Funny thing is, though, I haven't been able to eat them at all ever since. What once brought joy to my life, now caused not only sickness but dullness. Since dumplings had always been a periodic treat for me, over-loading myself with so many at once really ruined any further experiences.

Dumplings are a silly example, but they're representative of what happens to us when we put all of our interest in one metaphorical won ton wrapper. Whether it be a new love interest who we're infatuated with, or a shirt of ours we wear constantly because it accentuates our hips nicely, we're bound to grow out of that initial feeling of yearning.

Under some circumstances, however, I can see how superfluity can be healthy. After a break-up, happiness lies at the bottom of that quart of Ben and Jerry's Chubby Hubby. Working hard in order to save up for a fabulous set of bed sheets is totally commendable, considering you've earned it.

So in conclusion, perhaps we should add a flourish to that much talked about sentiment and start to say... "Everything in moderation...INCLUDING moderation."

Holley Simmons Reporting!