Problems vs. Crises
Posted by Allison at 5/18/2008 9:11 AM and is filed under uncategorized 
Eckhart Tolle, in his book "The Power of Now," talks about problems versus crises. A problem is something we create ourselves through our thoughts. A crisis, however, causes us to act defensively without forethought. If we have time to think about something, it isn't a crisis- it's a problem we are creating. As I continue my exploration of a personalized raw food lifestyle, I try to relate this idea to my eating habits. I've been in crisis situations surrounding food before. I remember having a great racquetball session and being so worn out and exhausted afterward that I knew I needed to eat something- but all the gym had were those awful protein bars. Another time, at a client's office during my IT days, I was at the verge of passing out when an employee offered me sugary ginger-ale. Both times I was instantly revived by consuming the only foods available, and never felt an ounce of guilt. My body took from those items what it needed at the time: energy and sugar. I don't even think of these as food crises; they were crises of health.
I can't remember having a chicken wing crisis, but I've certainly created chicken wing problems! Those problems are caused either by guiltily focusing on a future chicken wing session or berating myself for a past one. Tolle would say that in planning for those wings I am neglecting to listen to my body right now or to honor what I need in this moment. In addition, by chastising myself I am needlessly creating a problem: the wingfest is over; why do I dwell on it? While it's helpful to explore Tolle's (and others') ideas in relation to my food issues, I can't say I've been able to chuck my poor eating habits yet- but I'm trying.
Sometimes I find myself feeling envious of people who eat nothing but raw food and wonder what makes them different from me. Do my struggles mean I am not meant to eat 100% raw? Eating raw opened my eyes to the needs of my body and gave me a new perspective on food and health, so I'm not about to give up on it. These days a major part of my exploration of a raw food lifestyle is the lifestyle part; the part where I figure out how to incorporate raw foods without breaking the bank or wasting fruits and vegetables. Where I figure out what foods my body needs to manage its unique health profile, and where I attempt to understand how my mind works so I can stop sabotaging myself! I'm on an eye-opening odyssey encompassing mind, body and spirit; little by little, despite the challenges, I can see improvements in the quality of my life.
Really great post. We are all a work in progress, right?
xo....Penni
Reply to this
I can soooo relate to the chicken wing "problem" and I like the idea of NOT beating myself up about past transgressions! So, on that note, I'll listen to my body and grab a handful of cherry tomatoes and get back to work!
Reply to this
I'm a big believer in listening to your own body.
I love living the HRAV lifestyle (High Raw, All Vegan), because it's what works best for me, at least for now. I dabble with 100% Raw frequently, especially in the summer, but I'm very happy with High Raw, too. I feel fabulous!
Reply to this
I am so greatful to Eckhart Tolle and Oprah for turning me onto Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor and her beautiful book ""My Stroke of Insight"". Her story is amazing and her gift to all of us is a book purchase away I'm happy to say.
Dr Taylor was a Harvard brain scientist when she had a stroke at age 37. What was amazing was that her left brain was shut down by the stroke - where language and thinking occur - but her right brain was fully functioning. She experienced bliss and nirvana and the way she writes about it (or talks about it in her now famous TED talk) is incredible.
What I took away from Dr. Taylor's book above all, and why I recommend it so highly, is that you don't have to have a stroke or take drugs to find the deep inner peace that she talks about. Her book explains how. ""I want what she's having"", and thanks to this wonderful book, I can! Thank you Dr. Taylor, and thank you Eckhart and Oprah.
Reply to this