Moderation. The avoidance of excess or extremes, especially in one’s behavior or opinions.

So why the hell are we told to live our lives in moderation?

First… let me clarify. I am not referring to going on shopping sprees every week and spending every penny in your paycheck. I am not referring to eating five of mom’s homemade chocolate chip cookies instead of just one. I am not referring to binge drinking until you pass out instead of studying every night, because “YOLO” (You Only Live Once).

I AM referring to the Webster’s Dictionary definition. Which specifically is talking about one’s behavior or opinions. So if you believe in something, if you have a sickeningly strong opinion about something… why on earth are you not speaking out about it? Why on earth are you choosing to live “moderately”? Because after all that is what our society tells us we need to be doing. Living in moderation. Hell with that. If you have a passion about something. If you want something so bad that it’s all that you ever think about. Go after that full throttle. 120%.

Average. Mediocre; not very good.

Which definition sounds worse to you? Do you want to be the person known as someone who maybe is a little excessive and can be extreme sometimes? …Might I add, being known this person about something that you are uncontrollably passionate about. OR. Do you want to be known as the person who is mediocre… not very good?

Because let me tell you right now if you think that just living your life in moderation is going to get you anywhere more than mediocre… think again.

Right now I have an extremely full plate. I’m taking 18 credit hours at school, with a major and double minor. I’m a part of the Business Scholars Program at UIC. I’m juggling the adjustment from working every night to having my first paid internship every day directly after I finish classes.

And no. I’m not trying to toot my own horn, or have you sympathize for me.

The other day while I was on the brown line home back from work, I was on the phone with a friend. And their words to me were, “you have to chill out, that kind of load isn’t normal as a freshman.” And I mean I know it’s a big load, but I’m definitely capable. So I just kind of didn’t really have anything to say. Then they said, “but I would kill to have a paid internship downtown right now, that’s dope.”

Do you see what my point is here?

I was told I needed to chill out. But then I was told by that very same person that they would kill to be in my position. Now obviously this wasn’t meant literally. But all I’m trying to say is without being a little excessive or what this generation would refer to as “extra,” how are you going to be anything but not very good?

That’s really all I have to say… but I just had to go on a little rant about why this generation is so obsessed with the term of mediocrity.

Start replacing that word with “not very good.” Because then instead of the words, yeah I mean I just have a mediocre life. Turn into… yeah I mean I just have a not very good life.

A not very good life.

Next time someone accuses you of being excessive, just ask yourself…. excessive or not very good?

Choose wisely.