Change

Hello Friends,

Change is difficult. Somehow I do not think that this comes as a surprise to most. I guess what comes as a surprise to me is just how difficult it can be, like swimming upstream.

I have had a goal for this past week to change just one thing, one habit that I have had for years. Here is the habit: At night, after my day was done, I would sit in front of the television and eat.

This is not a particularly shocking or even unusual habit. But for me, it is a deeply ingrained habit filled with 1,000's of calories, 1,000's of milligrams of salt, 1,000's of grams of refined carbohydrates, and void of any real nutritional value. This is a deadly combination.

This should be a pretty simple habit to catch and to change - HA! Not so much.

How many nights have I mindlessly wandered into the kitchen, grabbed a bag of chips or popcorn or the like, returned to the front room, sat down on the couch, and proceeded to eat the entire (yes, the ENTIRE) bag of said chips or whatever? If added up over the years, 1,000's. I see a recurring pattern here...

Again, I am stunned by my behavior over the years. This is where mindlessness has brought me: the consumption of 100,000's of empty calories. Yes, 100,000's. Stunning - I feel like a deer in the headlights.

I am a numbers girl. Quantifying this is difficult. In fact, it turns my stomach to think in these terms. However, it is necessary when facing what behaviors caused me to gain so much weight. But if I am to remain awake, alive, and mindful of what I do and who I am today, then I must squarely face where I have been and what I have done in order to learn how not to repeat these habits of old.

I am learning... of the seven nights of this past week, I did NOT eat in front of the television for four of those night. Not 100%. Anxiety and fear contributed to repeating the old habit. But four successful nights are better than none. Yes, better than none. Four nights where I chose to say no, even as I was walking into the kitchen once again. I said no to the old habit four times. This is good. This is progress. This is difficult - but I think I already said that. Change is difficult.

This is my prayer: That I continue to choose to eat only in the kitchen. Everyday. Every time I consume anything. Always. And forever. Amen.

Will you pray this with me?

With Much Love and Blessings,
Erin

The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you. (I Samuel 10: 6-7)