Today the fate of Troy Davis was finally determined by the United States Supreme Court. I had wanted to write about my thoughts on the so-called justice system, the current state of racism, and why I am impetuously disappointed by all of it.
But then I had this amazing bowl of pasta and I realized there was a message to spread about it. A message that might by a little more productive than the bittered ramblings you can find everywhere else.
I love pasta among almost all other types of food I've tried. Food is great. In fact, I love it so much that I eat it everyday. Admittedly some days I have too much of it but hey, this IS America.
Besides being so delicious and delectable and filling our tummies with joy, I think food can serve another purpose for us. As creatures of habit, we often eat our food at certain intervals throughout the day. Most commonly known as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Yes, some of you may skip out on one or the other, but you're eating somewhere along the line. Food inevitably becomes a sort of routine for us, and in my opinion routines are perfect ways to stay mindful.
Do you even remember what you had for dinner last night? Or what the granola bar tasted like that you stuffed down on your way to work? How long did it take you to plow through your lunch? And when was the last time you were dumbfounded that your cup of coffee had suddenly disappeared? Instead of letting all of these moments fall into the mind's trash bin, we could utilize them to strengthen our ability to stay in the present.
I've always admired people who pray or meditate a moment before they eat. No matter where their prayers go, it's wonderful that they recognize the sanctity of eating. We can all do this - just taking a moment to breathe, to be aware. To scan and listen to the body. What am I feeling today? Have I let these thoughts overtake me? How can I bring them back to center? Sitting down for a meal and the moments just before you eat can turn into a daily routine of centering one's self. It doesn't take much time, just a little practice.
Food also presents us with a practice in gratitude. Having a bowl of pasta is a privilege and a rare treat for hundreds of millions. While focusing our attention and energizing our mind, we can be grateful for what is before us. Grateful for the sun to have grown it. Grateful for those who have worked hard in bringing it to your table. Grateful for the nourishment it will provide. Gratitude, in whatever shape it takes, has the power to heal and transform negative emotions.
Slowing down like this can have an incredible, long lasting impact. In all honesty, my amazing bowl of pasta was half amazing because of the fresh basil and half amazing because I was mindful while I ate it. Practicing mindfulness with food is so outstanding because unlike a sitting meditation, you get this instant result. A more aromatic, richer tasting meal that roars on your taste buds. However, much like a sitting meditation you are developing long-term skills in breath, mindfulness and gratitude.
After only a few meals of practicing this, I can only immagine how life can slow itself down. Perhaps a moment of mindfulness at lunch will remind you to breathe deeply and smile for the rest of your day at work. I'd like to think that if we just stopped for a moment - really stopped to just be - that we'd go on with our day a little more peacefully. And perhaps you'd inspire someone else to do the same - it doesn't take much to spread - which is why I think that my bowl of pasta tonight was a better and hopefully more productive topic than its alternatives.Namaste
titsay
ellievsbear
tangentwithtanner
andulkaphoto
vaporwave
