Today I found that it was still just as enjoyable to chew my water - I never expected that, I expected it to be the hardest part of the challenge for me. Drinking it went from a mindless habit to something I enjoy, chewing it and feeling it in my mouth somehow seems really satisfying...I can't explain it but it's so enjoyable somehow.
Chewing the food is what I expected to be the easier part, and I was wrong. I didn't realize how much I have been grabbing something while I was working or reading or listening or driving...most of my meals it seems have been something I have to do when I'm starving. that I fit in on the way to somewhere. or while I'm doing something else. I didn't see it because I love eating and I love food, but I see I've been more dutiful about it, waiting until I'm starving and then grabbing something out of necessity.
This challenge has made it so I have to plan when I'm going to eat, get up and leave my desk, leave my phone, and just eat and focus on every bite...every taste, every texture, every breath even. It does feel empowering to have to control over my meals and eating in this way. I feel like I'm 'governing' myself in a way that's on the side of life, steering the ship instead of reacting to hunger.
But today I found that I was more present in other areas as well, in ways I've never experienced before...one was with the True Back, which I usually get out and do without thinking.
Today I used it and noticed my breathing. the feeling of settling more into with each exhale. and the conscious intent of becoming more flexible. flexible enough to step outside of my normal rigid patterns...
I think it must be connected, maybe because for the first time I have experienced being present with this challenge.
With this challenge it is realistic for me to be as healthy as I can be. and realistic to eat and drink this way at least 50% of the time if not more. I am committed to continuing this, it's so worth it to experience food and even water this way, to have no stomach issues or 'weird' feeling after I eat, and to be able to share it any time with anyone, whether or not they are complaining about health issues.
Thinking about what it's worth is interesting...
considering that it can result in no more stomach issues and maybe even no more cancer, learning and experiencing how to be present and be the boss, learning to call the shots and slow myself down, and even finding that I love tasting every bit of food and feeling every drop of water, those things are hard to put a price on. The worth is beyond anything I could have imagined before starting.
It's pretty unbelievable that something like chewing the food we've been eating every single day differently can affect so many things.
