I believe we're on our way to an imaginary line, where
suddenly we're not eating less and exercising more solely as a means to lose
weight--we're doing it because it's what we do, it's how we live---and suddenly
it becomes much less of a burden or deliberate action, it just IS. And we
discover that it doesn't take anything away from the richness of our lives--or
the joy we experience, as our struggling thoughts might have convinced
us--contrary, it enriches us, empowers us---breaks us free into a new
perspective where we realize our greater truth, our truest reality about our relationship
with food and exercise. Like coming out of a dense fog, we clearly see food for
what it is, not what our old behaviors and habits tried to make it. Now, I look
at the earlier, deliberate phase as practice for what's ahead--because I know
the biggest obstacle to crossing this line and keeping this new perspective is
our own thoughts, emotional and spiritual health. This, without question, is
the most powerful element. I've discovered, our thoughts and emotions can
effectively render our breakthroughs powerless, pulling us backwards over the
line, as if a gravitational pull exists between our old perspectives and the
freedoms we've enjoyed in the new. At this place we find ourselves in a
position where we know the truth, we've experienced the freedom--and we have to
decide: Do we surrender? Do we give back all of the power it had over us
for years? Do we walk back into our cell
and close the door? Or do we stand up, declare our freedom and break free
toward progress once again? It's a powerful choice we have and our most
definitive answer isn't in what we say, it's what we do.
It's so
much easier to give it all back. In that cell, we simply exist--surrounded by
the same old behaviors and habits that have consistently given us our reality.
It's easy because we don't have to think about anything--we just do
whatever--despite the consequences. There's a freedom in that choice. It's the
freedom from personal responsibility--freedom from caring---freedom from the
uncertainties of positive change and a deliberate disconnect from the impending
and most certain negative changes our inaction fosters. That kind of
freedom comes at a much greater cost. It costs us our health, it cuts short our
life, it dramatically decreases the richness/fullness of our existence...and
it's so easy to do, effortless to accept because it doesn't require us to
change our actions or perspective. Our quickest exit relies heavily on
our self-awareness and honesty about what we're doing and why. The
positive effort we exert repays us exponentially in ways we haven't even
realized until we're there; living, breathing and benefiting from our good
choices. The freedoms we enjoy from the consequences of our efforts far
outweigh the freedoms of inaction.
It honestly comes down to this: What
kind of freedoms do we truly want?
Good Choices,
Sean