I am open and willing to explore food options, except… There are two barriers to my food freedom. First is likes. As flexible as I am, there are walls and barriers when it comes to repeating dishes and experiences I did not enjoy. The second requires my attention, followed by discipline. Udon is an example of this.
My body does not like pork products in any form. Oils, fats, or cuts of meat will trigger a physical reaction in every instance. I may not know the product is in the dish, such as the broth used with udon noodles, yet my body knows the truth. As I enjoyed a vegetarian broth with the udon noodles, I found myself listening to Life’s whispers reminding me of my life boundaries. Known and unknown, seen and hidden, there are guides and rails that I want in my life.
I want to pursue my core purpose. Anything that distracts from this is, for me, by choice, to be avoided. Each time I forget or ignore the guides and rails gifted to me in this space, what follows is sadness and an awareness of failure. There is a connection between my purpose and my relationship with Divinity. She invited me to collaborate with her in a divine cause – nurturing and developing the individuals who share life’s journey with me, if only for a time. The simple guideline is: “Obey the king’s command, I say, because you took an oath before God.” (Ecclesiastes 8.2). It was my choice then, and it remains so now.
I want the best for myself. Physically, I hate being sick. The positive is being healthy, alert, and engaged. For me, this translates into the boundaries I set for what I eat, how much sleep I get, and the care I give myself. My boundaries are just that, my own. From my viewpoint, they apply to anyone else! My role is to support others in their journeys. Freedom, openness, and unconditional acceptance have limits that I keep as open and flexible as possible.
Today’s freedom comes with purpose.
