Gratitude # 76

Yesterday marked the end of another Lenten season. As you may remember, I gave up all manner of junk food for the duration — and it was excruciatingly difficult. In years past, I’d given up sweets but not chips, and this year it was an all-encompassing vow to avoid all things fatty and unhealthy in that regard. I’m sure I’m a better person for it both physically and spiritually, but my goodness it was a very difficult undertaking. Yesterday, I enjoyed carrot cake, chocolate, jelly beans, soda, and the ability to stop worrying about seeing food that I couldn’t eat. Image if I had to make that a permanent lifestyle change — never being allowed to eat such foods again due to health reasons. There are plenty of people who cannot eat sweets because they do not produce enough insulin to counteract the blood sugar spike. It’s vows like this that make me realize that those “Seven Deadly Sins” really are much more deadly than we all realize. It’s giving up things I enjoy that make me realize there are those less fortunate than me who cannot ever have those things back. Today, I am grateful to be able to resume my dietary habit of moderation. I am grateful that I do not have a health condition that forbids me from eating glutenous, sugary, or salty products. I am grateful that I can exercise moderation to prevent certain acquired health disorders. I am grateful that I am relatively healthy.