One Month In
Today is the end of my first month of posting on Eat Well.
I could tell you about my different speed bumps, or obstacles, I’ve encountered this month. But we all experience obstacles, so there is no point to share mine.
I would like to share how this month is ending. I’ve often heard a saying that implies it’s not about how you start, but how you finish.
"Starting strong is good. Finishing strong is epic" by Robin Sharma.
Eat well is about showing up every day. You show up having done what got done, and you let that be enough. You show up and you allow yourself to be present and seen.
On July 30 in the evening, I attended a music event in the area I have the privilege to live in. The music event took place in the middle of town. Some tents were set up for people selling products and food. Wooden benches were placed so people could eat and still watch the performers. The stage for the musicians was decorated with lights and Hawaiian plants. Some extra tents were provided for people to sit under. And there was a large area between the sitting benches and the stage for people to gather and dance.
I started the evening off hula hooping by the booth that had hula hoops for the kids. I brought my own weighted hula hoop and found a spot that seemed OK for an adult to join in. I was close to the entrance of the event and people I knew, smiled, waved or stopped to greet me. I stayed hula hooping to multiple songs while smiling and being grateful for the environment and for being able to be myself. Afterwards, I walked to the manager of the band, who I have met before, and said hello. Then I found a piece of grass to lay a sarong on and sat near some people I would call friends.
I spent the rest of the evening on my sarong stretching, sitting on my ball, listening to the music, and watching people enjoy the evening. People of different ethnicities, ages, socioeconomic status, and belief systems were there. People that lived in the same area intentionally came out for the evening and gathered with family, friends, or by themselves to be part of the live music.
No matter what the month had been for people, they showed up. They showed up to sell food and products, enjoy music, support a community or friend, purchase food or products, hula hoop, dance, sit on a wall or bench. People showed up to be part of an experience. No matter what the obstacles were for each person that month, no matter what they have been going through this last month, a large number of people from a local community showed up.
This community started teaching me 13 years ago what Ohana means, and this music event was another example. You show up and persevere and you do it humbly and with kindness.
After one month of Eat Well, I recognize there is more kindness and more humility in me. I started this project to share my beliefs and thinking about eating well, and I am ending the first month full of gratitude and awareness of people’s love and their imperfections.
Eat Well is about life with food. I truly believe what we consume, what we put into our body, is very important, and I have this belief because of experiences I’ve gone through in this lifetime. Last night was an example of my perseverance to learn how to eat food better so I could experience this life with a calmer and clearer mind.
You are welcome to join me.
Stacy
https://youtube.com/shorts/dmW3vdlD-xA?feature=share
I share my experiences and my perspective. Eating and healing look different for everyone. If you are struggling with food or your relationship with your body, please find support. You don’t have to do this alone.