Lessons in Gratitude Day 99

I am in thought about a great many things these days. So much of the past three months has been about new beginnings; today I am about to embark on something new. I signed up to do a “cleanse”–three weeks of very healthy, but very different eating and being in the world. I had thought about doing this before–my partner and I thought about doing it together, but we realized that we didn’t have the will to go through the process. Now, on my own, I have decided to do it, though I am a little shaky about whether I have the will to go through it by myself. I will though, because I’ve committed to it and know that it will yield benefits of which I am only mildly aware at the moment.

I expect to learn a lot about how to eat more healthily, and will no doubt be challenged to change old, established eating habits and types of food. I’ve been tackling all kinds of things in my life lately, adding new practices, taking steps forward in determination to make some positive changes in my life. So, it makes sense to add something new to the mix. My body will no doubt be rejoicing, and there are benefits to the mind and spirit as well. While I confess that I have some trepidation as I enter into this process, and I know there are going to be some challenging times in the midst of this (like wanting a soft serve strawberry sundae with nuts and whipped cream). But, I’m going to soldier on and see this through.

I’m grateful to be developing the capacity to try something a little (okay, maybe a lot) outside of my comfort zone. I have never fancied myself much of a cook–my creativity doesn’t flow in the direction of the culinary arts–so this will provide me with yet another learning opportunity. I look at this cleanse as an opportunity to create space in another area of my life. I’ve done a lot of letting go over the past few months–much of 2011 has been the result of letting go or being let go of. So this cleansing/detoxing process is likewise about getting rid of some of the gunk that has clogged up my body over the course of many years. It’s hard to know if my body is going to know how to react to it all!

I won’t be going through this alone, either.  I am doing it as part of a class that is led by my wonderful acupuncturist. A good friend of mine and his partner are also in the class, so if nothing else, we can commiserate together. It’s another reminder to me that worthwhile things are often done in community. I am appreciative of the various communities of which I am a part and the strength that comes from acting as part of a collective. In so many of my recent endeavors, I’ve been able to be in community; while others are more solitary. Both are necessary for me to maintain a sense of balance in my life. I am grateful for this journey that I’m on. We shall see what new things the “cleanse” brings with it.