Swallowing

Written by cycleguy on February 3rd, 2016

I’m having an affair.

Now…before you get your undies all in a bunch or gasp and say, “Not another one,” please hear me out. I have this love affair with food…certain kinds of food especially. One rhymes with pizza. The other rhymes with ice cream. I have slowed down on the pizza eating. Rumor has it my age has something to do with that. 🙂 I can remember in day’s long past when I ate pizza every day for a week. I can also remember when I would eat a whole large pizza at a Pizza Hut buffet. Yeah…those days are l-o-o-o-o-ng gone. Ice cream is a different story. My philosophy is “there’s always room for ice cream.” I confess to liking at least a small bowl in the evening (emphasis on “small”).

I also get up around 3:15 each morning and ride my bike indoors for at least 45 minutes in order to enjoy that bowl of ice cream. I suspect it is really not doing me much good, but try to convince my taste buds that!

They say “you are what you eat.” Well then I’m a ice cream-loving-Italian and don’t regret it. Except, of course, when I don’t ride and step on a scale or a doctor tells me like one did several years ago: “your cholesterol is high and you need meds.” When I said, “No” he said, “Okay then. Lose 15 pounds and lower your cholesterol.”

I was what I ate alright. I immediately changed my eating habits.

I am what I eat spiritually as well. So are you. Feed ourselves “light junk” and we will be a lightweight. Feed ourselves “heavy junk” and we will find ourselves out of touch. I go back to this quote from the previous post:

Faith is to the soul what swallowing is to the body-and the health of the body is largely dependent on what is swallowed.  “Moorings in a World Adrift” by Clayton Bell-p.3

I don’t eat pizza and ice cream like I used to. Least not the quantities. (I do still like my chocolate). My 63 year old body can’t absorb what it used to. So I had to change my eating habits.

My reading and study habits have also changed over time. I want my faith to be firm, vibrant and alive. I need to feed that desire. What about you?

 

 

21 Comments so far ↓

  1. Linda Stoll says:

    There’s something about hitting 60 that has been a gamechanger when it comes to health and habits, isn’t there, Bill?

    Or is it all in our heads?

    • cycleguy says:

      Wish it was all in my head Linda. 🙂 Unfortunately, there are other parts of my body which tell me “Yep, you have hit it.” I want to know why the weight which sort of slid off earlier likes to hang around a bit/lot longer these days.

  2. SusanP says:

    I can relate only too well. I’ve never been a high energy person. It’s not in my DNA. Still, one must accomplish some things. I used to be able to clean the house in less than a day. Not anymore. When my body says, ththth that’s all folks, it means it. Now for my children to grasp that simple concept.

    • cycleguy says:

      Well Susan by philosophy is “you gotta do what you gotta do.” In your case, it is “you gotta do what only you can do.” Let’s hope for the kids to catch on. 🙂

  3. Deb Wolf says:

    Rev and I keep adjusting our eating plan as well. Although, I’ve never been able to eat whatever I wanted. I think I start dieting at age 13, and I’ve been careful ever since. There’s a line from an old television show where the star says, “Of course I’m hungry . . . I haven’t eaten in 12 years.” 🙂 Don’t want to say the same about spiritual food. There I want to enjoy the buffet to its fullest!

    • cycleguy says:

      i eat at a Chinese buffet sometimes. occasionally a pizza buffet. But I have to watch myself. Strange thing happens though: i get hungry again. If only my spiritual appetite were the same. Thanks for the comment Deb.

  4. Ceil says:

    Hi Bill! Your opening sentences gave me start, and then a great giggle! Very effective 🙂

    I used to eat ice cream like CRAZY, and then my body decided to become lactose intolerant. Figures. Hello Lactaid, but still, I have to watch it.

    Great metaphor for the junk in our spiritual lives, and you challenge me to not settle for just what’s easy. Pushing myself to do the heavy lifting of love, peace and forgiveness is what I need.
    I don’t think I’m getting up at 3:15 though…
    Blessings,
    Ceil

    • cycleguy says:

      You were the only one who mentioned being given a start. 🙂 But glad you giggled. Bummer about the lactose. That would sure put a crimp in my eating and drinking habits (I love chocolate milk). I may actually take a 3:15 off in the near future. 🙂

  5. Jon Stolpe says:

    Great thoughts, Bill.

    I, too, have a soft spot for ice cream (and food in general).

    This is why I run 2-35 miles a week.

  6. Lisa notes says:

    It’s been at least 3 weeks since I’ve had a slice of pizza but now I’m really craving some! Thanks, Bill. ha. I definitely relate to what you’re saying here. Our physical diets are good analogies to our spiritual diets. I want to be fit and healthy in both regards!

    • cycleguy says:

      Sorry I got your saliva moving around Lisa. Hope you are recovering from your surgery and will soon be able to eat again. Like you, I choose to be fit and healthy.

  7. Betty Draper says:

    Good analogy..I wish I could say I am consistent in my eating the right food and the word.
    I wish I could say I consistently think more about spiritual food then earthly food. I wish I could say I was consistent in exercise.
    I think I found the problem, I need to use my God given will power instead of wishing. Wishing is a dangerous habit, it numbs the will. Hummm…you can see your post caused some good thoughts to pop into my head.

  8. This reminds me of the saying, “Garbage in, garbage out.” When we don’t take care of both our physical and spiritual health, we aren’t going to get proper nourishment for the journey God has planned for us.
    Blessings, Bill!

  9. Sharon says:

    Yup, changed some eating habits – but could still use some work. My hubby and I indulge in pizza now and then, and I do admit to having an ice cream sandwich most nights (hey, it’s a Skinny Cow, only 140 calories!)

    But it’s so true when it comes to our spiritual lives, that what we put in is what will come out. I want to make sure that I’m nourishing myself with spiritual *meat* – and really taking it in, not just tasting it.

    GOD BLESS!

    (3:15 bike-riding???)

    • cycleguy says:

      permission granted for the skinny cow. is that really ice cream? 🙂 Taking the spiritual meat is so much more important than just tasting it. Good point Sharon. And yes…I have been called insane and a few other not so nice names. 🙂

  10. floyd says:

    Excellent comparison, Bill. We are what we consume, physically and spiritually. Love that quote.

  11. Pam says:

    Interesting analogy, Bill. When I was a new Christian I devoured large chunks of Scripture, trying to get a handle on the big picture. Now I find savoring a few verses allows God to truly feed my spirit. 🙂