Golden Mean

I'm currently taking a parenting class for raising strong-willed children.  In this class they have taught us that we usually parent from one of two extremes.  At one end of the spectrum is the parent who wants to be nurturing, sensitive and responsive. At the other end is a more firm parent, authoritarian.  Neither one is bad, the spectrum measures normal parenting.

The goal is the middle.  The Golden Mean.  Happy medium.  It seems everyone is striving for balance these days. Books are written on the subject, websites devoted to its attainment.

The extreme end of things, however, are fertile grounds for learning about yourself and life.  It's a place for finding out what works and doesn't work.  You have to pay attention though.

How many times does a gymnast fall off the beam before she perfects the routine? From one side to the next, balance is being taught.

So sometimes people have to learn by falling to one end of the spectrum before they can bounce to the middle. It happens.

Happy medium is often found once you've exhausted all other options. Its the reward for learning.