I’ve been giving my life a lot of thought lately. I am 45 years old, over-weight, diabetic, bipolar and have body aches that prevent me from sleeping well at night. My health has become unmanageable. That is the first step on this journey; stepping out of denial and owning up to the fact that I have no control over my own health. Or do I? That is the million-dollar question! This pondering has kept me up nights, many nights. Perhaps I do have the ability to manage my own health. I just need to DO IT! Ah-ha! Don’t THINK, just DO! If that sounds like a little Taoism, you can bet it is.
I’ve spent my 45 years off and on part-Vegetarian, but I could never make that necessary leap towards complete vegetarianism. I have a passion for cheese and burgers, preferably together. This one weakness has prevented me from making that full switch to a complete vegetarian lifestyle, one that I know will be more beneficial to my health. I’ve done the research, tons of research! I know that the body operates better on an alkaline system than an acidic one and that meat and dairy are very acidic. I know I know that I know this! So why do I insist on putting my body through torture for a mere cheeseburger?
There are of course other reasons for becoming a Vegetarian. I am a spiritually-minded being and wish to practice Mindfulness. Jon Kabat-Zinn describes Mindfulness in this manner(1):
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way;
On purpose,
in the present moment, and
nonjudgmentally.”
I believe that being conscious of what I eat, how it affects my body and the way I feel after eating all need to be taken into consideration on this journey I am embarking upon. And Mindfulness, as a practice, is my desired result. Sure, I want the health benefits, but what I am really striving for is a lifestyle that reflects the spiritual side of my nature. I am aware of the cruel manner in which most of our food makes it to the table. I know the price our planet pays for supporting an animal-based diet. I wish to be as Mindful of my food as I am of my very soul.
My goals are simple:
- A slow but steady transitional diet from animal-based to Vegetarian and eventually to complete Raw.
- To Mindfully purchase, prepare and eat whole foods.
- To keep an honest and accurate account of my journey here on this blog.
That’s it in a nutshell… why this journey. But what about… why now?
I have just finished a 12-step program (2) on Hurts, Habits and Hang-ups. I have held myself accountable for all of my past, the manner in which I have treated others and how I have been treated, and learned the fine art of Forgiveness. My biggest abuser has always been ME. I have learned that I have abused my body for years and I have forgiven myself for this abuse. It is now time to DO something about it. To stop the years of abuse. To salvage my health in any way I possibly can. I have the willpower now. And since I am being Mindful, I will do this in the NOW. No more thinking about it, researching about it, planning for it. Just DO IT; Now!
I invite you to journey with me. I cannot promise that this will be an entertaining blog, but it will be a truthful and honest one.
