The other day, I mentioned that I had identified several
reasons, triggers, or habits that bring me to eating more than what I
need. Such information is only
interesting at best if you have no plan for changing those behaviors. But, until I can change those behaviors
permanently, I have to do something to stop the weight gain before it gets even
more unmanageable. So that is where the
South Beach Diet comes in. Dr. Arthur Agatston, a heart surgeon, developed a
well-rounded healthy diet for his heart patients. Coincidentally, the diet also is perfect for
people that are suffering from diabetes.
Over a year ago, before Ruth and I started on the diet, my doctor told
me that the blood tests indicate that I was pre-diabetic. At the time he told me, I knew I would soon
be on the South Beach diet. I did not
tell him of the plan, and I am sure he was somewhat disappointed in lack of
concern. The last time I visited him, he
was absolutely giddy with my test results.
I had lost 80 pounds, my cholesterol was well within limits, my blood
pressure was down far enough that he cut my medications in half, and I was no
longer pre-diabetic.
That’s a lot to be happy about. But, my doctor knows, I know, and Ruth knows,
that the job is not complete. As long as
we live, we will have to deal with the same issues that brought me to the brink
of being diabetic. I had done nothing to
identify or make the changes internally that would help make the condition
lasting. It would be just a matter of
time before my old habits would drag me right back, not to a condition as bad
as in the past, but WORSE than in the past.
That is the nature of the untethered beast. Fortunately, to see this sixteen pound gain
in weight was enough to alarm me. I
really, really don’t want to feel as bad as I did over a year ago. So this time I will take advantage of this
period of relatively good health and endeavor to break the cycle that I have
submitted to in the past.
I have been on a focused spiritual quest for many years,
getting increasingly focused in the last six years. Much of the foundational work required for
internal change has been done to various degrees. I may be getting down to levels that are
going to be the most difficult, the most challenging, and possibly the most
dangerous I have ever been before. It
may be at this point that I’m going to lose readers, if indeed, anyone is
following this. Our sojourn on Earth is
spiritual. Some of you have heard it said,
and I have read it time and again in many books, we are spirits having a human
experience The Tao Te Ching says that all that changes is not real. Only that which persists is real. My body will die and return to the ground. My essence is spirit. My spirit does not change.
In my first post, I mentioned I have a cadre of spirit
guides, teachers, and masters, as well as physical teachers and mentors. Some of the discussion from this point on,
must include the spiritual components of this journey. I have three things going for me now that
will help me succeed at breaking this cycle:
- I have gratitude.
- I have purpose.
- I know absolutely without a doubt that I am loved.
Gratitude. Not long ago, I started reading a book called The Magic
by Rhonda Byrne (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/magic-rhonda-byrne/1107727564?ean=9781451673449). I absolutely do not agree with her approach
to gaining wealth, but she does lead the reader through exercises that are
designed to make one aware of the many things we have for which to be
thankful. She insists the results of the
exercises are “magic,” but I am convinced, the results are a natural outcome of
gratitude. When you know how truly
blessed you are, you won’t waste time feeling sorry for yourself. The first thing I do each day is identify ten
things for which I am thankful. Each day
has to be a new list, with only a few repeated things from prior days. This exercise puts me into a positive mindset
with which to confront the rest of the day.
(By the way, I haven’t finished the book, though I plan on it, and I
would not recommend it because of her emphasis on “magic.”) Knowing how fortunate I am keeps me from
despair. Knowing how fortunate I am,
gives me strength to stand up and face the trials of the day. Knowing how fortunate I am keeps me from
slipping into a “victim” mentality.
Purpose. Believe me, not too many years ago, I began
to doubt that I had any reason to remain in this physical plane. I was not contemplating suicide, but I did
petition my spirit guides to let me leave this dimension. They made it very clear soon afterward in a
very emotionally intense dream that I had purpose, and they let me know
precisely what it is. I have accepted
that gladly. Knowing I have purpose
makes all the difference in the world on how I look at each day. (yeah, I know, now I’m getting too weird for
some of you. That’s OK. Maybe this isn’t meant for you. You have to choose your way, and I would be
the last to try to convince you to follow my way.)
I am loved. I have struggled with how to explain
this. I have finally decided to simply
say that I know that I am loved and accepted 100 percent, unconditionally. Don’t forget, I am essentially spirit. That part of me is forever, and the love I
receive is, not for the part of me that dies.
Knowing this makes all the difference in the world, too. Mahatma Gandhi said it this way: “Freedom is
not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.” Unconditional love is what gives us that
freedom. I am free to experiment and
fail, as well as succeed.
Part of being loved, is loving yourself. I honestly have to struggle with this all the
time. I know me, and what I see, I don’t always like, much less, love. I remind myself that I am spirit. Even though I may not feel or see the value I
have, I know that I am unconditionally loved.
It makes that part of me that I don’t like, easier to swallow.
(Continue to the next blog)
(Continue to the next blog)
Be Peace.
Be Love.
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