Excess, or overindulgence, can certainly be the ruin of many things.  As an art teacher, I am often telling students that “less is best…excess kills!”  I’ve seen so many fine artistic creations destroyed by overpainting or using too much texture once a pleasing piece was created.  To prevent this from happening, I’ve taught my students to use a piece of colored paper taped to the targeted areas to get a temporary look at what the added paint will do.  Often times, this prevents a tragedy as the student gets a glimpse of the total effect.  In life situations, however, we can’t do that.

    I’ve seen a great deal of excess when it comes to children’s needs versus wants.  Many parents get pressured into having “the right kind of birthday parties,” “the must-have toys,” and “just the right brands of clothing, shoes, etc.”  What bothers me about this is the “one-up-man-ship” that inevitably begins to take over.  It usually isn’t but a month or so that passes before those “must have” items are left unused in our lost and found box.  I think our record for lost cell phones by one person is three!

    Every day in our school lunch line I hear at least a few children say, “I want an extra-large one of those.”  None of our children come from needy homes where food is a scarcity.  Maybe they are just used to answering the fast food clerks’ question, “Do you want to make that an extra-large combo?”

    I am especially bothered by the excess I see in extra-curricular practice times.  I am alarmed at two and three-hour practices on school nights which often keep elementary children from getting to bed before 10:00 p.m.  I’ve watched sporting events gulp up the long-standing family times for church attendance on both Wednesdays and Sundays…a long tradition in this country.  Is it really family time spent together when the parent is in the stands and the child is on the field, stage, etc.?  I don’t think so.

It is no wonder our families suffer with communication problems…when do they have time for meaningful conversations and interactions?

    Anyone who knows me understands how much I hate technology’s grip on our society.  I am delighted, but not startled, to hear researchers telling us that too much (excess) screen time is taking a negative toll on our health.  I don’t think anyone can be surprised at the excess usage of cell phones in this day and time.  My husband and I tried to enjoy a rare “breakfast out” last Saturday morning.  Not only did I get to eat out, I was able to hear a forty-five-minute cell phone conversation by a woman at a nearby table.  Her poor preteen daughter who was getting to eat with her just sat and ate silently the entire time.  Scenes like this prove to me that togetherness can be ruined by excess phone conversations…for everyone within shouting distance.           Kay