St. Thomas Aquanis used a term Via Media. Translated it means existing in such a way that we are not living to extremes. For me, this notion goes against my very nature. I seem to take everything to the extreme, starting with my wants and ending with my perceptions of reality! We live in a world that terms success as maxing it out. While it’s great to live our life with gusto, sometimes the world we live in tells us that we haven’t arrived until we have in all in terms of material things and experiences. Manufacturers and commercials tout their products as “extreme.” It gives us the impression that if a certain amount or just one is good, then more must be better! We hear that when someone has comes to terms with a terminal illness, they may ask that no extreme measures be taken to preserve their failing body.
When we exist in Via Media, we recognize that while we can be satisfied with our “things” and state in life, we can also gain an appreciation for the simple things. We are also comfortable enough in our own skin that we don’t have to be the most important person in the room. We recognize the fact that there will always be someone who is wealthier, more attractive, more talented and wiser than we are. It actually becomes a freeing experience when we know that we don’t have to be in competition with everyone and everything. We can travel our own life journey, striving for our personal best while living life on life’s terms.
Ultimately in choosing to live in accordance with God’s master plan for our lives, Via Media becomes the new norm. He is the only judge that matters and His opinion of us is the one we should hold near and dear to our hearts. In the final analysis, God will not be concerned about what car we drove, how many square feet we had in our house, the value of our 401 K, or how many Facebook likes we had accumulated.
Today we can be satisfied during the course of our day with just being a 5 on a scale of 1-10 among our brothers and sisters. There will be times when we soar like a 10, or may even wake up feeling like a 1. If we live a life of Via Media, we accomplish all that God wants for us as well as being of service and putting the needs of others before our own.
Jan M. Drury, M.S., C.L.C. jan@lifecoachingpartners.com
Life Coaching Partners, LLC 