The Mindful Lawyer Practices Mindful Eating

If mindfulness is focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, I realized I must have the time and space to experience that. Once I do then in that experience I can call for the grace to react or respond appropriately.
It dawned on me that I would never be able to become mindful if I did not change the thinking, attitude, and behaviors which lead me to be unconscious in the first place. I prided myself on being able to multitask. I measured my worth and whether a day was good or bad by how much I accomplished. Our society unfortunately stresses productivity at all costs and I found myself constantly battling time. I was always losing. I did not acknowledge my limitations. Being over booked and overscheduled lead to constant anxiety and I would overreact if things did not go as planned. God help the person driving in front of me doing the speed limit when I had to get to an appointment or meeting.
My prayer time in the morning, saying the rosary, spiritual reading, and even daily mass alone was not going to transform me if I did not change how I lived. Why was being crazy busy such a badge of honor? And how was I going to live without every minute being accounted for?
One of the greatest spiritual writers in the 20th century Henri Nouwen put it best, “As long as you run from where you are and distract yourself you cannot be fully healed. A seed only flourishes by staying on the ground in which it is sown.”
The idea of being a seed that needs to grow struck a chord with me. To be still and let God work in and through me can only be accomplished if I cooperate with Him. I need to make the space for Him.
One of the best places to start was with eating. I had gotten so used to eating while on the phone, sending emails, or shoveling food into my mouth so I could move on to the next item on my agenda. At times I even skipped meals because lack of time which made me less focused and irritable. Food is such a central part of our existence and it is a gift given to us by God. We are body as well as spirit.
Now I make an effort to make time to eat my meals. Every meal starts with a prayer no matter whom I am with or where I am. This sets the tone and helps me relax. I chew thoroughly, experience the texture of the food, and savor every bite. Gratitude overwhelms me. I am thankful for the food as well as for those who prepared it. My husband Mark is the chef of the family and my mindful eating has made me appreciate him even more. It is amazing what you realize when you pay attention.
Meals are served without the television in the background, cell phones are turned off and there is no checking emails or Facebook. It is a time for sharing. Meal time is a time to talk about one’s day or to share a problem or concern. This all leads to greater intimacy and compassion. Instead of making love to a gallon of ice cream unconsciously while watching television have it for dessert at the table and share it in love and delight with your family.
Perhaps Padre Pio had the best advice when he said to say a small blessing after a meal. He said it would put an end to gluttony. I think it may also prevent indigestion. My next intention is to pray after a meal. Now the impulse is to get up and clean right away, and Mark is famous for clearing dishes as soon as they are empty. A prayer may just stop him in his tracks and allow the seed to stay at the table a little longer.