The mind. A vast container. A great influencer.
While preparing for a procedure this week, I noted reluctantly my entire food intake the day before would be limited to clear liquids and/or lemon/lime jello. Nothing purple, nothing red, the instructions stated. I immediately began to mourn all the foods that I could not eat on that day and focused on all the great foods I should eat before any restrictions took place. My mind was already taking me to a place that I should not go.
In addition, the only other liquid I could drink was provided via prescription. Everyone I consulted agreed that this liquid was particularly distasteful, even the fruit-flavored versions. So I dreaded even putting the first of what would be many cups to my lips. How in the world was I to get through this and what followed? I was advised, on the one hand, to drink fast; and on the other hand, to sip slowly. I decided to drink as fast as I could without allowing the liquid to touch my tongue. In my mind, I had already anticipated the worst, resigned myself to it, and prepared for it. Yes, my mind had already gone there.
But what I prepared for never happened. In fact, the process was a non-issue – sort of. While I expected to miss eating solid foods, I kept busy most of the day and thought little about food. Plus, the prescribed liquid’s salt-like taste was very familiar to my taste buds and my initial sip became a gulp that didn’t quite settle on the inside. But when my brain registered its familiarity, I began sipping the next cups at a slower pace. Not only was I able to finish, but did so within a reasonable timeframe.
When all was settled and done, I realized that my mind unnecessarily had taken me places that I should not have been. By expecting and even anticipating someone else’s experience to be my own, I almost missed out on a true blessing : a unique experience so unlike the negative stories I’d heard, which complemented by capacity to successfully go through.
passion4purpose 