This year I am giving thanks for the power of choice.
Last Spring I got really hooked on the mantra “make good choices”. I would repeat this phrase to myself whenever I was making small daily decisions, like whether to exercise or not, eat something or take seconds, or say something snarky (and usually unnecessary) to my amazing husband. It really helped me pause and take time to consider what was best for me in that moment (the “good” in the choice).
Lately I have been overeating. Often. Over the last week I have wound up too full nearly daily. I used to do this a lot but over the last year, through “making good choices”, I have been able to stop when I am 75% “full” more often than not. And feel I feel a lot better when I do that (surprise, surprise). Besides the obvious (excessive calories) it just feels gross to be truly full.
So, on this day of feasting I am going to celebrate my choice to eat or not eat, drink or not drink, every bite and every sip. I love food and have always had a hearty and healthy appetite. I have every intention of eating a nice full plate of food, or maybe two, but I will make every bite a conscious choice, taking my cues from inside rather than outside.
“Good” is relative and doesn’t have to be attached in this case to it’s opposite, “bad”. I have no desire to beat myself up or judge my decisions (and definitely not those of others!) but sometimes a little pause and assessment is helpful to see what is really best in any given moment.
I woke up to the sound of my sister rubbing the turkey with butter. Coffee, an apple, and a small banana later and it was yogatime.
What you can’t see in these pictures is my sister’s mother-in-law watching us from the couch and my sister’s nephew sleeping on the other couch! He only roused briefly as we performed a very intense “breathe of fire” exercise. If you’re not familiar with “breathe of fire”, he managed to mumble, “you sound like panting dogs”. He’s 17.
We flowed along with Shiva Rea for just over an hour.
Breakfast number two.
Pumpkin and plain yogurt topped with cardamon, garam masala, and a kiwi. This will hold me until 2pm “dinner” time. It was delicious and satisfying and I enjoyed every bite.
There were 10 of us at my sister’s house last night and we expect the remaining 4 guests around noon (my parents, stepmom, and step sister), a house full of family for the festivities!
After yesterday’s run I was not planning on repeating that adventure today but the dark clouds have parted ways and I would love to get out in the sunshine for a while. Hmmmm, make a good choice, what would be best for me right now?
I’ll decide over another cup of coffee, right now that is definitely a good choice. 😉
Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy good food, good company, and good choices!
