Raw Inspiration

[Guest guest]

Here are a few inspiring words for the people doing the raw challenge. Please

pass them

on if you find them useful.

 

Raw Inspiration

by Michael Harris

 

Someone at a party who appeared to be very healthy and happy told me that I

should

never deny myself anything. I was doing all raw vegan foods at the time. I

brought my

own dressing with some vegetables, and even had my own water bottle filled with

a lemon

water mixture. My kale, broccoli, and avocado were beautiful, even sitting

there in the

plastic produce bag on the table. The dressing was in poured into a cup and I

stood there

dipping pieces of the vegetables into the ginger/soy infusion. I enjoyed

sharing some

while others ate the custard creme puffs and drank the beer. This guy looked so

healthy

that I asked him what his secret was as he drank his beer. He said, " I just

live the

Rock'n'Roll lifestyle. I stay out late, I drink, and play music. " Well he was

genuinely

healthy looking, and he looked much younger than his age so I took his words to

heart.

 

I realized that I was indeed denying myself and I started feeling badly about

it. I really DID

want the food there, and I wanted to enjoy the party more. I had to process

this for a few

moments alone. After a few minutes I realized that he was right. Feeling good

is the most

important thing. I had to be honest with myself, I wanted the food and the

drink, but I felt

better by denying myself. I knew the good I was doing for my body by

eliminating these

foods, and I knew it was important.

 

I knew I was embracing health, not denying myself pleasure. The joy of feeling

good was

more important than satisfying my momentary desire for taste. As I started

talking about

my own journey with others at the party, I found out that the guy also practiced

yoga and

meditated. Go figure! It wasn't just the Rock'n'Roll lifestyle after all!

 

Saying " no " to a certain food that you loved as a child is not denying yourself

if you

process it as your new power to choose compassionately. It's possible to make

informed

decisions that lead to awesome health and well being as long as we don't beat

ourselves

up in the process. Avoid arguing with yourself. There are no " bad " choices,

only choices.

Accept thoughts and work through them. Stay with it.

 

If you were growing a tree, would you feed it acid instead of water? No! So

why feed

yourself so many things that may compromise the system? Why not give yourself

some

time away from certain foods to get a perspective. Why not try an experiment

where you

try and feed your " tree " the absolute best, most nutritious and delicious foods

possible.

Why not treat yourself like a beautiful pet? Why not see yourself as a creation

of life to be

nurtured and care for?

 

It's all about getting in touch with your true gut feelings about food, really

getting in line

with the power of nature and the infinite healing available to you, and feeling

a sense of

compassion toward yourself. It is also about letting go of the " stories " of

your identity and

how they relate to certain choices. The infinite now is the place of pure love

and

possibility. The fact is that you can choose anything you want. What an

amazing ability!

 

Denying yourself must never be felt as denying, but always as embracing. If you

notice

yourself feeling denied, then STOP. Pause for a moment and wait. Eventually

the feeling

passes when you acknowledge it. Then you can start thinking about the good you

are

embracing. Remember your tree? Your beautiful pet? Think how shiny your coat

will be.

Think how many leaves will fill your branches when you give yourself the

nutrients you

need to survive and thrive.

 

Consciously decide to move toward health in any way you can. It feels good.

 

-Michael