BEFORE YOU EAT THAT JUNK!!

Go through this little checklist that those of us who are prone to addictive behavior often use in order to avoid doing the wrong thing for the wrong reason:

1. Hungry? Am I truly hungry, or is this a craving ignited by something as simple as a whiff of good food being prepared?

2. Angry? Am I upset about something or with someone to the point that I just want to eat over it?

3. Lonely? Am I missing someone or something out of my routine, or grieving subconsciously over a recent loss, and could that be why I think I need that “comfort food?”

5. Tired? Did I miss some sleep last night, or am I overtraining, or have I been really stressed at work? Often, fatigue sets up exactly the same signals to the brain that hunger does. But, sleep or rest is NOT FATTENING!

To help you remember the checklist, it is H.A.L.T., for hungry, angry, lonely or tired. Make sure you are really hungry before you make that decision that might well set off a firestorm of destructive eating and other destructive behavior. Even just going through the checklist might buy you enough time to avoid something really dumb

The days of Barney Fyfe are long gone and law enforcement, military, and para-military people are professional to the core. So, it’s hard to imagine even that a conversation like this could occur between law enforcement officers: “Hey Jim, would you mind swinging by my apartment before we answer that call? I just realized I forgot to bring my gun with me!” Or, you could simply substitute for “gun”  the words “bulletproof vest” or “protective headgear” depending on the nature of the mission. The point is, professional people bring with them and have with them at all times the equipment they need to complete their mission. They do that by donning or securing the equipment they will need for each day in a systematic fashion, utilizing a checklist or a visual inspection method that prevents any oversight that could be fatal!

So, even though that mythical conversation above probably never happens between LEOs, something similar far too often takes place between we transformers and ourselves. It usually goes like this: “uh-oh, I forgot my food–again!” Or, “wait a minute! I’m sure I put that workout journal in my bag–didn’t I?” Or even, “Darn it! When I said I was going to do my cardio tonight I forgot all about that evening group meeting.”

The end result of this kind of behavior, particularly if it is repetitive, is destructive. What it does is to impair self-confidence, which is one of the keys to making a good transformation. It also, of course, can impair results overall if it becomes a habitual problem, but even just a two or three times a week occurrence of one or more of these common lapses can really distract a transformer and rob confidence to the point that it really becomes a problem. Only one thing is worse, and that is habitually and intentionally cheating on the diet.

Preparation and follow through is key in the spiritual formation portion of a transformation as well. Most Christians are quite familiar with Paul’s famous passage to the Ephesians, at chapter 6, where he exhorts them to “put on the full armor of God,” and names each and every weapon or shield that they need to take up in order to do battle with the enemy. 

So, whether the “enemy” is you and your disorganized efforts at preparation, or it is some outside force, the key to winning the battle is to use a checklist, daily, to prioritize all your transformation efforts and protect them from outside interference, and to follow through cheerfully and relentlessly. In the end, if you do that, the victory will be yours. But, if you show up for the big game and you’re not even in uniform, I’m afraid the outcome has already been determined.  

Discipline of the mind, body and spirit–the key to a real and lasting transformation!

When Will It Ever End???

What did you think when you read the title of this blog–that I was going to be complaining about some form of torture or a deep problem I was experiencing? Well, actually, I am thinking about something very good that is happening right now, and wondering when it will end!

The very good that is happening right now is that I am fully employed, in a job that I absolutely love, in the most beautiful State in the country, at the most beautiful time of the year. We and the rest of our family are in good health, and all seems well for me and everyone I know. Yet, I also know from years of experience that in an instant things can change for ourselves and others as well.

I was in one of those almost euphoric states back about this time in 2003. As I was moving a heavy piece of furniture up the stairs I felt a “giveaway” sensation in my low back, but didn’t think much about it. Within literally just a couple of weeks I was unable to walk, and was taken to surgery to deal with a monstrous in size disc that had ruptured in my low back. From a healthy, happy and strong person, in just weeks I was in constant burning pain and agony and unable to exercise or do much of anything for weeks and even months. Today, that all seems like it never happened, almost like it was someone else who went through it.

What I felt at that time was an almost tragic thing that would change my life for worse has instead turned out to be a blessing. I so much more appreciate the ability to exercise, run, ride my bikes, ride for long distances in cars and many other things that I literally lost for a long time. When it happened, the whole episode seemed surreal and almost unendurable, but today I realize the great benefit of that suffering I went through.

I take nothing for granted these days, even my current state of good health. I see every day as a gift, and one that should be lived to the fullest because it will never come around again. Time is not saved–it is spent.

Today, or at least this weekend, take an opportunity to count your blessings–to thank God for them–and to look at what today you regard as the “bad things” happening to you. Ask for understanding that what seems like unendurable suffering or confusion might very well be tomorrow’s best medicine for you!