The sane try to keep off the edge and stay in the middle. This is a time old saying in the rooms of narcotic anonymous and alcoholic anonymous. However, there are those who dare to be great narcotic and alcoholic abusers. The saying, one is too many and a thousand is never enough has no bearing or meaning to the aforementioned individuals because they consider themselves immortals. They feel that their heart will never erupt from a large blast of crack or their liver or kidneys will not shut down from one more slug from that jug of booze.

What is there in life to fear other than fear itself? If one does not treasure life, then one does not fear death. People in this category live life on its edge, one second, one minute, one hour, and one day at a time. They care nothing for or believe tomorrow ever comes. It’s now or never. As the old saying goes, eat, drink and be merry; live for today for there is no tomorrow.

These individuals spend their ever waking hours striving to obtain enough money to get that next drink or hit and they will do whatever it takes or go to any lengths to get what they want and not what they need. Most can’t distinguish the difference between wants and needs and don’t even try. The only thing that concerns them is that they want what they want when they want it and devil may care or devil beware.

To the sane, a need is a necessity of life or for life. A want is a desired item or pleasure that has no real bearing on life but can be an acquired part of life, but it’s necessary.

There is an old: saying for the needy, not the greedy. The greedy are those that want but not necessarily need. The greedy fantasize about ingesting alcohol and or narcotics at al times and what means or ways they can go about reaching those meaningless goals.

The needy plan and strategize the best avenues to take in fulfilling their needs while prioritizing the necessity of each. The needy also set short term and long term goals and even establish time lines so as not to over extend themselves or as we say, bite off more than they can chew.

When individuals go about life thinking and acting in a foolish manner, there is very little accomplished or gained. The only thing that is accomplished is a gross waste if time, energy and resources.

Those individuals who choose to take the blinders of life off and face life on life’s terms either gain or regain control of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and take their rightful place in accordance with societal norms. Thereby, never having to continuously look over their shoulder in fear of death, disaster or the long arm of the law.

Should you decide to get off of the edge and into the middle, you can eliminate these three negatives ~fear, fantasy and foolishness from your life.

by Alexander M. Yarborough (formerly homeless)