Of all the many concepts one might consider as critical to human flourishing, I think that of balance is possibly 'Numero Uno'. Too much food, too much alcohol, too much exercise and even too much discipline are not the path to happiness and fulfillment. Balance is. Why do I say this? It's simply because nature itself is balanced and we are a part of nature. Take the simple example of walking. What happens if you lean too much to the right or left? You probably fall down right? The same is true in every area of our lives. If we lean too much one way or another, nothing good will come of it. There is more than a little wisdom in the advice: 'All things in moderation.'