SOUL FOOD
In general, we are all concerned about foods that are needed to nourish and sustain our bodies. Without eating food, the body will weaken and ultimately die. We can look at countless articles about nutrition and what foods to eat for any type of condition. There are so many nutritional articles that it is similar to the countless different types of drugs that are made available by pharmaceutical companies. Articles from fasting to the type of water we drink and everything else in-between. Every time a new year arrives, millions set a New Year's resolution related to nutrition. Usually this involves some sort of promise to change what they perceive to be bad foods or eating habits into moral categories. Individuals like to blame food for many of their problems. Problems from relationship failures, weight, appearance, physical health, mental health, violent behavior etc… These are all excuses used for unacceptable choices that individuals make. Food is not the problem!! I am not saying you should eat potato chips and donuts everyday and wash it down with a six pack of beer. If that is the way you are interpreting this article then, that is just another excuse in your arsenal for bad choices. I believe that your attitude toward food and balance is the key.
Mental attitude towards food is a huge component in nutrition that is usually not addressed. Similar to a sugar pill. If in my mind I believe that this grilled filet mignon that I am about to devour is going to be a good choice, at that particular time for me, then it will have great nutritional value. If on the other hand, I think it will not be a good choice, then it will not have nutritional value to me and in fact, it may even get me sick. Your mind is a very powerful component regarding your nutrition. You also need balance in your diet. Mixing up the different proteins and adding a blend of fruits and vegetables will also be very helpful. However, to me, the most important component for a healthy lifestyle, which you can incorporate everyday, is a diet of soul food.
I am not referring to the traditional ethnic cuisine traditionally prepared and eaten by African Americans in the Southern part of the United States. I am referring to food for your soul. As important to the food we eat is the thoughts we put in our minds. Healthy food for our souls are thoughts of love, gratitude, service to others, laughter, joy, happiness, etc... Unhealthy foods for the souls are thoughts of hatred, fear, doubt, jealousy, anger, selfishness, etc...Gratitude and love are very powerful emotional activators. "When a person doesn't have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity." Elie Wiesel. In order to show a path for success, you must show gratitude for all you have, past, present and future. Regardless of how little you perceive to have.
With respect to love, "Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life." Leo Buscaglia. This type of love is not to be confused with lust. I am alluding to a deep unconditional spiritual love towards everyone. The love that only sees the best in people. A heart that forgives. A mind that forgets the unpleasant, and a soul that never looses faith in the universe and the god that is within each and every one of us. In order to reach this stage of love in your life, you must first love yourself. If you don't love yourself, then unfortunately, you will not get to the aforementioned unconditional love. It may sound selfish and arrogant to say, you must love yourself, but, it is not. Those are just barriers that were put in our minds by unenlightened people in our lives. This type of love I am referring to is in every single soul. It has no limits. It is boundless and divine. You can not give love, if you feel, erroneously, that you don't have this type of love internally to give. Therefore, look deep into your soul by meditating and I will guarantee you, you will connect to this most powerful element of your existence that is pure love. Hopefully you will start your new soul food diet and accomplish your every desire in life. I leave you with a quote on point.
" When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out, and the tide of love rushes in."
Kirsten Armstrong
Just a thought
Mental attitude towards food is a huge component in nutrition that is usually not addressed. Similar to a sugar pill. If in my mind I believe that this grilled filet mignon that I am about to devour is going to be a good choice, at that particular time for me, then it will have great nutritional value. If on the other hand, I think it will not be a good choice, then it will not have nutritional value to me and in fact, it may even get me sick. Your mind is a very powerful component regarding your nutrition. You also need balance in your diet. Mixing up the different proteins and adding a blend of fruits and vegetables will also be very helpful. However, to me, the most important component for a healthy lifestyle, which you can incorporate everyday, is a diet of soul food.
I am not referring to the traditional ethnic cuisine traditionally prepared and eaten by African Americans in the Southern part of the United States. I am referring to food for your soul. As important to the food we eat is the thoughts we put in our minds. Healthy food for our souls are thoughts of love, gratitude, service to others, laughter, joy, happiness, etc... Unhealthy foods for the souls are thoughts of hatred, fear, doubt, jealousy, anger, selfishness, etc...Gratitude and love are very powerful emotional activators. "When a person doesn't have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity." Elie Wiesel. In order to show a path for success, you must show gratitude for all you have, past, present and future. Regardless of how little you perceive to have.
With respect to love, "Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life." Leo Buscaglia. This type of love is not to be confused with lust. I am alluding to a deep unconditional spiritual love towards everyone. The love that only sees the best in people. A heart that forgives. A mind that forgets the unpleasant, and a soul that never looses faith in the universe and the god that is within each and every one of us. In order to reach this stage of love in your life, you must first love yourself. If you don't love yourself, then unfortunately, you will not get to the aforementioned unconditional love. It may sound selfish and arrogant to say, you must love yourself, but, it is not. Those are just barriers that were put in our minds by unenlightened people in our lives. This type of love I am referring to is in every single soul. It has no limits. It is boundless and divine. You can not give love, if you feel, erroneously, that you don't have this type of love internally to give. Therefore, look deep into your soul by meditating and I will guarantee you, you will connect to this most powerful element of your existence that is pure love. Hopefully you will start your new soul food diet and accomplish your every desire in life. I leave you with a quote on point.
" When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out, and the tide of love rushes in."
Kirsten Armstrong
Just a thought