Successful Temperance

“It's nice to be the best, but not when being the best brings out the worst in you.” Rodney Dangerfield

If you find honey, eat just enough-too much of it, and you will vomit. Proverbs 25:16

Intemperate: “having or showing a lack of self control” New Oxford American Dictionary

In 2007, Scotts, the large manufacturer of gardening products, sued a small company name TerraCycle, because its packaging was too similar to their Miracle-Gro brands packaging. You may think that such a large company could destroy a small startup, but that was not the case. According to Tom Szaky, one of the founders of TerraCycle, it was “the best thing that ever happened to [them].” The suit against TerraCycle meant their name appeared all over the news, and when word got out about TerraCycle's high quality products and responsible manufacturing processes, their sales went up 122 percent, leading to company growth and new product lines. Admittedly, I don't know all the details of this case. And I don't want to wrongly accuse Scotts of any injustice. However, it goes to show that, sometimes being too big and too successful can lead to downfall.  We've all seen large companies try to protect their brands by attempting to damage new companies or other brands. However, in most cases, people see through their schemes to maintain power, reject it and reject them. In the pursuit of our dreams, let's remember to be temperate in our success. Success at the detriment of others is no success at all. When we were kids our moms always taught us to share, right? And guess what sharing did? It taught us to play fairly and with others. And through sharing our toys, other kids were more likely to share theirs. The result was, more friends to play with, and more toys too. Success is no different. Success, like a toy, is a blessing. It's not the result of our efforts solely. It's a blessing too, and blessings are meant to be shared. Otherwise they can turn into curses faster than any of us want to think. So let's protect or investments, belongings, and blessings against theft, but use discernment in doing so. After all, if those of us who possess many blessings were more willing to share them, I wonder if the rate of theft would decline?

Daily Journaling Questions:

1. How did I help someone in kindness today?
2. What did I learn today?
3. What am I thankful for?
4. Who did I love today?
5. What am I dreaming of?
6. What about today do I want to remember?
7. What are my goals for tomorrow?

Thanks for reading.

Jake