It’s 7:28 in the morning, Saturday, March 25.  We decided to visit my Dad this weekend, which is always special, but brings with it another level of challenge.

Challenge #1:  I haven’t told him about what I’m doing.  Mainly because of pride, I guess, the more I think about it.  If you’ve been following my story, you may know that this isn’t the first time I’ve embarked on a raw foods journey, or a weight loss journey of any kind, for that matter.  I didn’t want to feel/hear the flat “oh ok” response that really means “you’ve done that before,”  reminding me of my past failures.  So what to do when I’m offered chicken, Chinese take out or sausage, egg and cheese biscuits?  I’m going to have to say something, and I will, lightly.  Something like, “Thanks, but I’m working on my health…”  and just accept the fact that people are entitled to their opinions.  I love my Dad.  He bought me my first Vitamix, and the one I have now.  But there are a thousand different ways to fuel the body.  And no one lives inside me but me.

Challenge #2:  The traditional pastime of our family when we arrive here for a visit is to go to the casino.  Along with the gaming machines and all that, there is an all-you-can-eat buffet, featuring every imaginable dish.  Yes, they do have the obligatory salad bar, but it’s not spectacular, by any means, because the focus is on the meats, casseroles and fried stuff.  So what did I do?  I didn’t go.  Chickened out.  I blamed it on the work I had to do (which I did really have), but the real reason was I didn’t want to face temptation of that magnitude just then.  I didn’t want to have a salad, then have to deal with the aftermath of dressing with super high fat and sodium.  You have to navigate through life events, and do what feels right in the moment.  The key is knowing yourself and honoring yourself.  Up to this point, I’ve been such a follower.  Saying yes when my soul says no.  Now, at 45, I’m finally doing what I need to do for me.

{In light of my second challenge above, you might be interested in raw foodist and fasting guru, Loren Lockman’s videos on how do deal with the social dynamic of eating.  Watch one of his best here.)

So what have I learned these past 10 days?  What has fueled my resolve to maintain consistency?  This one overarching factor:

The reason why.  It has to be immense.

It has to be bigger than any challenge you may face.

It has to be tastier than any food you may come across.

It has to hold your very life in its hands.

My why is more than just wanting to wear a two piece at the beach, although the thought of that excites me and it’s one of the joys that’s coming.

My why is more than just wanting to look good on camera when I’m performing, although that’s one of the joys that’s coming too.

My why is more than just wanting my boyfriend of almost 10 years to be attracted to me in a way he never has. (that’s a huge one though, but it’s bigger than that, too.)

Because all those things are external.  My why had to come from a place inside.  I had to make my why so deeply intertwined with my survival, that there’s absolutely nothing else I can do.  I had to make it part of my life purpose.

Why I pursue Radiant Health:   I believe it is my calling to be an inspiration.  I want to inspire others to live a healthy lifestyle.  I want to show them how they can free themselves from the mental slavery associated with western dietary choices, and help them completely reshape their lives.  The work I do now is not my calling.  I feel like my life is slipping away.  I have to do something NOW.  There are no more tomorrows.  If I can do this well, it can become my new work, the work I was born to do, and I can express joy daily!   I am on a mission to free myself from a life I no longer want.  

My life.  My why is really about my very life.  My mission.  The reason I’m living.

The main ingredient has to be life itself.