I was browsing through a magazine tonight and read an article about heart health…But then there was this emotional piece that resonated with me.
“When it comes to food choices, habit is stupendously powerful. Our familiar foods give us comfort, reassurance, and a sense of identity. They are there for us when the world may not be. They can be our best friends, loyal and true. It does not take much effort or creativity to do the same thing over and over again. There is ease and relaxation in doing what we have always done. And if our habits are continually reinforced by the society around us, they can become even more powerful and alluring.
On the other hand, it does take effort to question whether our conventional ways of thinking and acting truly serve us. It takes effort to ask whether our lives are in alignment with the prayers and deeper purposes of our hearts, It takes effort to consciously make choices that deviate from the cultural norms, yet bring us closer to our wholeness and true health.”
I have definitely fallen victim to using food as more than fuel. In loneliness, I have turned to food, as if it were a friend! Lost, I have turned to it as if it gives me purpose! Conversely, being mindful and curious lets us recognize that there are deeper issues that we need to confront. What is my heart really saying? What does my soul want? Sometimes, we have to act differently from others to do what we know is right. Several clients have told me about friends who are bad influences, and their friendships take place over myriad alcoholic beverages and fried foods at fast food restaurants. I tell them that they need to be a force of change, or abandon those friends for ones who support a healthy lifestyle. Personally, I thought of my trip to Thailand when I read the second paragraph I quoted above. Not everyone was the most supportive of my trip, and some were even discouraging me from going. But in my heart I knew it was the right thing, even if it was a somewhat “crazy” thing in some people’s eyes to take off for two months. But I knew that I was demonstrating courage by deviating from the conventional paths and do something that I felt would serve me. And this in turn would allow me to better serve others. Anyway, I liked this passage and wanted to share it with you for your own food for thought and for you to reflect on your own nutritional habits that may or may not serve you, and how it is reinforced perhaps by cultural norms. Furthermore, how does this analogy extend into your personal life and do you make choices that may not be in line with standard moires, but that you know are bringing you closer to your purpose and mental & physical health.
FEB
