Food and Mindfulness

A couple of years ago, I went to a Buddhist monastery. Everyone was eating vegetarian food, and only taking what they could eat. Last weekend I went to a training where food was communal, healthy, and mostly vegetarian.

Last week a lesson that I learned from the monastery came back to me: mindfulness in eating and food preparation.

It seems as if I, probably like many people, look at food like a social cure, quick fix, a drug. I eat food when I'm with people because there's nothing else to do. I eat food  that's closest to me because I don't want to take the 10 minutes to prepare something healthy. I eat food because it tastes good and not worry what it is or is not doing for my body.

It's been raining all day today, and I've been inside all day. I've done dishes, played with the soapy water, and made eggs for lunch. It was the first time I've made eggs  in over a year. At first, I just wanted to grab a bowl of cereal and be done with it. I did not want to spend the time cracking the eggs, and frying them. I did not want to spend the time toasting the english muffins to put the eggs on.

I did not listen to that idea. I began to question myself what I thought of a chore, and turned it around to be a game and something fun. I also began to notice how the eggs sizzle on the frying pan and how the yoke turns hard. I became grateful because I was going to nourish my body and a chicken gave me that egg.

When the eggs finished cooking and the bread finished toasting, I ate the egg sandwich, and it was the best thing I've ever ate in a while.

Let Our Own Lights Shine

This morning I looked at people walking, and I was in awe. I did not know them, and yet they existed. Their lives are completely different and unique. I can never replicate them. Their values are their own, and they have their own families, friends, beliefs, and activities. They are aware of their own existence than they are of mine. Just as I was aware that they lived and breathed, they were also aware that I was a living entity.
It was amazing.
I began to be amazed on the fact that we can exist in a world together. If everyone tries hard enough, our own lights will shine. We might just focus on ourselves first, but if we work towards the common good, our values, and beliefs, and helpfullness will spread to others.
We will be able to empower others to live their own lives and be aware of others. We will be able to empower others to take control and assist where needed. We will empower others to know that if they have enough love for themselves, they can also love others and help them succeed. 
Life is great. This universe is great.
In solidarity.