My grandma had an extraordinary gift. She could say a prayer on the spot~ heartfelt, eloquent, in front of dozens of people. Not me. By the time I’ve put together a meal, I’m usually too hungry to wait.
Enter more lessons in mold recovery.
My nutritionist Skip suggested I start taking my pulse before eating. It’s a very simple way to test for food sensitivity~ if your pulse goes up by 10 beats a minute after a meal, your system is working too hard.
Taking my pulse was just the doorway. It was already high when I SAT DOWN to eat. I’m usually rushing around the kitchen, my office, or the Haven. Does it really matter WHAT I eat if I’m not ready to digest my food?
So, I sat there. In front of my meals. Waiting for a slower pulse. Taking Big Breaths. Oh. This is where people say prayers.
I thought out my thanks, or read some nice ones in Earth Prayers, and checked my pulse again. Usually it went down, sometimes it didn’t. Then something else happened while I sat there with full cooling bowls. I realized I’ve spent a lifetime with prayers in my head and hunger in my belly. The place in the middle was often left out.
I started to pray with my heart. What’s the point in gratitude if you don’t FEEL it? I’d start by thinking of people I love. Or I’d look at the trees, river, grass, birds, mountain, and my FOOD and feel into all that abundance. I eat most of my meals beside two rivers, in utter safety and pure beauty. I have access to a garden, forest, farmer’s market, stores, and wholesale delivery. Wow.
I’m learning to slow down, from the kitchen outwards. Thank you, grandma. May I walk in your grace, be warmed by your light, take nothing for granted, and receive with my heart.