On The Downward Slide
Where Too Much Good Becomes Bad
To think when you are having fun
Then to watch that fun develop into something special
Over and over again
How could it possibly turn sour?
I thought it would never happen
Well there happens to be an old saying
My father told me many times
Everything in moderation
Where anything we did too often
Becomes a problem
It starts to take control of you
Instead of you deciding when and where
It can be as simple as eating, exercising and working all taken to the extreme
We start to notice our life change
Our values start to change also
Other interests that we use to do become less and less
I think that could be where something turns into an obsession
Somewhere down the line we no longer have the same enjoyment we use to have
If we are smart we can see the slow but gradual change
We can change it before it becomes to late
I think many people who get hooked on drinking and drugs
Fall into this category
Soon it becomes very hard or impossible to stop
Our mind can play tricks on us
Instead of being our best friend
It can turn against us
When I was younger I wanted to make money
I found that if I did odd jobs around the house
My mom and dad would pay me
It wasn't long after
I wanted to make more money
I remember offering to do other jobs to make extra cash
Then asking other people
I thought it was a good thought
What a great way to make more money
After awhile it became real easy
To slip into a trap
Always bringing up money in conversation
Looking to work more
For more money
My mind got thinking
Then I only wanted to do things if I got paid for it
My father said that was selfish
Right or wrong
He always got the final say
He stopped paying me
Until I smartened up
When we do something long enough
For any period of time
It becomes real easy to want to do it again and again
I still believed it was earning money to save up for my future
After awhile I noticed many of my friends didn't have the same desire
The same drive
I thought it was o.k.
If we parted our separate ways
These were friends I had for years
I can make new friends
It wasn't long after
I missed my old friends
Then I found out my new friends weren't friends at all
They too were only concerned about money
It's a fine line not to cross
A tight rope we walk
A balancing act that can be so decieving
Soon I returned back to my old friends
I was happier
The old saying money doesn't make you happy
Is true
There are many things I still don't undertand
I don't know all the how's and why's
From there on
I still enjoyed making money
Not all the time and with everyone I meet
Many of the things my father taught me still ring in my ears
He has been gone for 28 years
There is a time and place for everything
I found the time to write because it felt right
I hope this odd lesson that took me awhile to learn
Can help benefit you in some small way
So go out and make today a beautiful day
Keep trying many things and be careful not to do
Too much of any one thing
Comments
DREAM ON (author) on July 18, 2019:
Gypsy Rose Lee Over the years we learn to make money. The money comes in my hands slowly and leaves ever so fast. It is like the greatest magic trick ever. Just when I think more money will change things. It doesn't. So if anything else over time I learned to live with less money than more. I still crave for more. Then again I have so many other desires that are so much stronger and pushes those cravings down the line to an impulse or an urge. I find writing one of those special times that fills my mind and thoughts up to that I feel deeply satisfied and it doesn't slip away. I work at it as I would earning money but it has a lot more longevity and power. I see you did well without me in building your cat house. I was in your corner rooting for you and giving you the confidence you needed to go out and make it. I would love to see pictures and it would be great if you could make it into a hub. If I lived close by I would have helped build your cat tree and you would have seen the first backward cat tree ever made. The darling little kittens would have loved it just the same. You would then say I could have done that all by myself. Then we could both have a good laugh. Thank you for having faith in me. I am not mechanically inclined. That never stops me from trying. It is better to try and fail than to never try at all. Thank you for all your comments and refreshing thoughts and ideas. They make each day more wonderful. Lately, I have been really busy and finding the time to write difficult. I like to read the comments over and over and then I like to write a long and personal comment. I am still working on the long. It is a growing progress. We live and learn. Smiling all the way.
DREAM ON (author) on July 18, 2019:
Shaloo Walia I often wonder how our brain works. It takes all the information in at such a high rate of speed and categorizes all this knowledge in some special place where it can be stored or used as needed. Some thoughts lie dormant and then one day they pop in our head as if the words were just said. I have these flashbacks of my dad. I love to share them and it gives me such joy. Thank you so much for all your comments. I appreciate all your support and kindness. The world is filled with so much good. I honestly believe if every day we practice finding the good we can tap into it like getting maple syrup from a tree. Then we will be filled up with the sweetness of life. Have an amazing day. Talk soon.
Shaloo Walia from India on July 13, 2019:
Beautifully written!
Gypsy Rose Lee from Daytona Beach, Florida on July 12, 2019:
I was always happier when I had a wallet that could afford my snacks and candies. However, now I wish I had also saved up some money for those rainy days. Too bad we live so far apart I would have asked you to come help set up the cat tree. I am wondering how I will be able to put it together but these kittens have to be occupied. If at night they can get to my PC they will explore and that is not good at all so I am hoping that this will keep them all busy. The downside is I have no idea how to put all those pieces together.
DREAM ON (author) on July 12, 2019:
LeizaR What do I owe this great pleasure? You have come to visit me and I wanted to return the favor. You have yet to publish an article. I will be waiting to see your words grace the page with beauty. You have been so kind and thoughtful. Unknown to you, you have created a domino effect. Because of you, I have received not just one comment but five. Your generous gift of appreciation came at a perfect time. As your day continues to expand and move in a great direction. I will encourage you to go and have the fun you look for. Because it is yours waiting in the wings. Thank you so very much.
DREAM ON (author) on July 12, 2019:
Marlene Bertrand Oh, believe me, I wish money did grow on trees. I would be out there the first thing in the morning and probably come back later before the end of the day. The important thing is I would be doing so many great things all during the day. The money would make many things possible but I would be smart enough not to spend all day picking. Whereat one time I would. I knew if money was there I had to grab as much as I could because we never knew what could happen tomorrow. Too much time on one thing would take me away from all the wonderful people that I know and love. When those people are gone the money won't bring them back. So we have to decide when enough is enough. Live with our choices. Dream big and live even bigger than life. Thank you for your wise comments too. We can all learn from each other. Spending time- sharing is one of the greatest gifts we can all give. Have a sweet morning and watch it melt away.
DREAM ON (author) on July 12, 2019:
Denise McGill I am a great lover of fruits and raw vegetables. When I have a deep craving for sweets. I reach for a juicy peach where the juice pours out down my lips. Another time I may grab a crisp apple and listen to the loud crunch. It is not the cake or brownies that are so chewy and gooey. It is good and a healthier choice. So on occasion, I will treat myself but as I bite into a bright orange carrot and chew it to the tiniest little pieces. I know it was a better decision that I am better off making. I decide and little by little I feel better. I type away on the computer putting my scattered thoughts on a blank blue screen. They never will be perfect but they will have to just do. I have learned to accept my faults and my shortcomings. I don't know an easier way. I will keep trying until I get it right. Then today when I see your comment I am so pleased as punch. An old friend who hasn't forgotten me and shared something so special. Thank you for visiting and leaving your wonderful presence. It means so very much to me. May this morning be a great start to an even better day.
DREAM ON (author) on July 12, 2019:
Brenda Arledge To give someone a simple pleasure. Like a cookie so sweet and tasty. One is never enough but 6 or 8 is too many. Friends grace our lives with kindness and honesty. We live in this moment but so it will also fade. I am thankful for those who make it special. May you find new joys in old ways. Thanks so much for reading and caring. My heart loves to lift up and keep rising with no end in sight. Have a beautiful day.
DREAM ON (author) on July 12, 2019:
Audrey Hunt You take my words and light them up like a billboard for other people to see. You read between my thoughts and find my strength and power even though I choke and cough. I can't thank you enough for all that you do. Relaxing I reach for my next idea toying with it until it becomes clear. Fresh thoughts like flowers propped up in a vase that was only seconds ago in the ground. Given to others so they may receive the joy that I have been given. Have a terrific morning.
DREAM ON (author) on July 12, 2019:
Linda Crampton We all deal with life and our experiences so different from many things in so many ways. We hold these thoughts in our head if only they were water in a glass pitcher and all we had to do is pour. I pour gently at first then faster and faster. Until the pitcher dripped its final drop. Then running to the nearest faucet to refill again and again. Thank you for reading and sharing. I don't know what else to say. May your day be kind to you and you so filled with happiness like a balloon that floats so gently on air.
Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on July 11, 2019:
Thanks for sharing your experience. I think the information about money and some of its effects would be a valuable lesson for many people.
Audrey Hunt from Idyllwild Ca. on July 11, 2019:
"It's a fine line not to cross
A tight rope we walk
A balancing act that can be so decieving". I really do try to use moderation in my life, but it's a challenge. Your wonderful poem describes how easy it is to get caught up in daily activities, goals and stuff.
Some days, I simply tell myself to forget it all and just go play. :)
BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on July 11, 2019:
This is such a wonderful poem. Your father seems like he was a very wise man.
Money doesn't make you happier is right, but few people realize this until they are in considerable debt and working overtime constantly.
I enjoyed this read.
Great write.
Denise McGill from Fresno CA on July 11, 2019:
It is true little things become big things and take up too much space in your mind and thinking. For me it's food. When I want to diet I begin thinking of recipes. That's not bad but it starts to take all my time and then all I can think about is food. It ultimately defeats the purpose. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Denise
Marlene Bertrand from USA on July 10, 2019:
Well, it's true that money doesn't make you happy, but it sure can pay the bills. But, your poem is an excellent lesson about money. I think if we live our life FOR money, then we are leading ourselves down a path of unhappiness.
LeizaR from Philippines on July 10, 2019:
Nice piece
