Personal Observances

[karotw]

I'm not sure if I'm putting this in the right section. . .but wanted to share some of my personal observances regarding raw food and how it is currently affecting me.

I "discovered" raw (okay, I know it's been around awhile, but it was new to me) about a year ago. . .exactly a year ago, come to think of it. I have not been 100% raw during this year and as a matter of fact, I have had times during this year when I have abandoned the idea of becoming raw because it seems like I would never "get it". . . .

Back in November, I decided to rekindle my relationship with this board - good move on my part. I still am not 100% raw, though I am aspiring to be. Because I tend to believe the what rattles around in my head, I have struggled with being able to have 100% raw days. . .I tend to believe it it will be hard for me. . .and often it is. . .and often too hard. . and then I eat cooked food that I had not planned on eating. . .

I keep coming back to this board. And reading other raw sites and continuing to tell myself that I will be raw. . . .then about a week ago. . .I started putting into practice a technique I have used quite successfully in the past about creating abundance (Thanks Revvell for the reminder post) and have been thinking differently. . .and I'm pretty amazed at the changes - subtle as they may be.

I went looking for a raw potluck in my area and presto - there is one in January. . .I have been telling myself that I will find parking and I have been, despite the holiday crowds, same with traffic not being too bad. . .etc. And I've been telling myself that I am a raw foodist - and I'm finding it much easier to be raw all day. . .though still not 100%, I'd same I'm mangaging 85-90% since last Thursday. And I'm seeing the physical differences. . . .my body is detoxing (bad acne right now and itching), but on the other hand my digestion has improved tremendously and I'm sleeping better. . I'm less tired most of the time, but when I get tired, I'm really tired. . .Today I did put cooked food in my body ( I didn't come to work with enough raw food - lesson learned) and the effect was IMMEDIATE - stuffy nose, sneezing and wheezing - I had bread - WOW. I must have detoxed enough (or become conscious enough) to be aware of the small changes. . .

Anyway - I won't belabor this. . .but just wanted to share my experience. I'm grateful for all of you who are here sharing your experiences. I continue to learn and grow and to become more of who I really am, rather than "trying to be who I want to be". . . .thank you all.

Many Blessings!
Karen

[misslinda]

..............and glad that you keep coming back "home!" :)

always glad to see you here,
ml ;)

[karotw]

Thanks Miss Linda - It's always good to see you here, too :D

[RawTruth]

Because I tend to believe the what rattles around in my head, I have struggled with being able to have 100% raw days. . .I tend to believe it it will be hard for me. . .and often it is. . .and often too hard. . and then I eat cooked food that I had not planned on eating. . .Here's the crux of your dilemma -- you've absolutely nailed it on the head. Remember the "monkey mind"? Because it's in our head doesn't mean it's true. We absolutely create our reality!! The reality is that you are a 100% raw foodist. You've just been stumbling around in the disguise of someone who ... can't ... quite ... do ... it. Yet, while you've been standing on tippy toes thinking that you were almost grasping that thing you want so much that is just out of your reach, you've actually been a raw foodist. It's only a teensy shift in your vision, Karen. The same as when you're not wearing your glasses and have to squint to see. The object you're looking at isn't any different just because it becomes clear once you put on your glasses!! It's just the same -- it exists whether you can see it or not.

Your monkey mind must be ignored. What you focus on expands.

You're there, girl.

[karotw]

RawTruth - thank you! Yes, that little shift in perspective is making a huge difference. I'm really liking walking around thinking "I am a raw foodist". . . .I'm actually walking around thinking "I am" a lot of things rather than "I will be" or "I want to be". . . .and my whole presence has changed . . .really very cool. . .:D


Now, to learn how to ignore that silly monkey mind!

Many Blessings,
Karen

[sweetgoddess]

" I continue to learn and grow and to become more of who I really am"

yippee, that is huge, and that is what its all about. ( like the hokey pokey I suppose ;) )

[Lady Green Jeans]

Really great thread. My struggles are with traditional "comfort food" such as mashed potatoes (no, the mock recipe did not suffice). I remember someone once saying, "The shi**y committee in my head." So I can make a choice each and every day to listen to myself and not the committee.

Sure, I miss some things, but the great recipes leave me very satisfied and reinforced that I daily choose to be raw--like a gift to myself.

[SparklePlenty]

I too am reaching for that place wherein I don't STRUGGLE iwth this any more. And I feel more there than ever now.
When I quit smoking over 20 yrs ago after 25 yrs of it, I did'nt say, oh I'll do a non smoking challenge for 90 days, I DECIDED and I quit--permanently (unlike all the other zillion times I had "quit" and started smoking again!) and it was easy, and I never looked back. I became a non smoker.
The root of the word decision implies that we "Cut outselves off from any other option than the one we have DECIDED on". That's the way it's gotta be with raw. Cooked falls in to the realm of 'no longer an option'.
I also made this kind of decision with eating disordered behavior around the same time I stopped smoking cigarettes and it was the same seemingly miraculous shift. It's a total paradigm shift and I did not and do not feel deprived! I felt and feel totally aligned with the new decision then and now 20+ yrs later.
That's what I am doing with respect to the way that I eat. I believe in myself. I believe this is easy for me. I believe that I can take excellent care of myself. I believe that I will look back and be so grateful that i made this decision to be raw, just as I am still grateful that I am a non smoker. My decision feels more organically right day by day. And it's all based on what feels best to me emotionally and physically.

Jan