Sugar Fast Day 4

Today, I woke up with a bit more of a rhythm, more of a mission that I could accomplish. Not to say that the challenge is over by any means, today just feels a wee bit less heavy. I’m moving with a slowness that’s helping to cultivate a state of alertness and clarity that my mind and body have been longing for in my daily life. It’s easy to find it sitting in lotus pose in a quiet space, but not always easy when you are in the thick of the chaos of life.

How are you on this Day 4?

This fast is amazing on so many levels. Today I feel its impact in the way I move, how I speak, and how I react. I’m slower. More fluid. Intentional. The lack of sugar slows us down and helps us to become more clear-headed and aware, because we’re not on a manic sugar high.

Then the chaos of life smacks me in the face. ;) As I’m trying to write this, my 2 1/2 year old is running circles around me, threatening to destroy my 2 hours of late night folding, my dog is whining for more belly rubs, and the smell of the forgotten SpaghettiOs on the stove starts to shift to burnt. My anxiety mounts and I want to help myself to a sugary fix to get through.

But I’m reminded that we are able to find peace amidst the chaos. It’s an art that takes cultivation and nourishment. In those moments, we practice deep breaths. We focus on a mantra or empowering thought. We start our day off with yoga or some form of mindful movement for our bodies and hearts. We avoid running to the pantry to get a quick fix that will never, ever fill us up the way our soul needs it. We are able to overcome the distraction, the chaos, the challenge. We let go, trust, and find that sense of peace within the craziness.

Suddenly walls begin to crumble and everything falls into place. There’s calm and stillness. Yes, this sugar fast is challenging. Yes, life can be challenging. You realize that the challenge is all worth it though. And wow, is it even that much sweeter to experience peace after you’ve been through the fire. YOU can do this! We are in it together.

-Tara xo

Quote:

“The greatest challenge yields the greatest possibility for change.”

-Bikram Choudhury