Say the word ten times... Food, Food, Food, Food, Food, Food, Food, Food, Food, Food. What is food? It's something you put in your mouth, ends up in your stomache and gives your body the nutrients it needs to continue functioning.
I have come to realize that I have a very strong affection, really a love affair with food. I don't just have a crush on food.. I am in love with food. This "love" began when I was a small child. Food items were always the open arms I ran too when either the going got tough or to celebrate something positive. Every time that food wrapped it's arms around me and hugged me I fell deeper in love with it. Captain Crunch, Crumb Cake, Pasta, Twinkies, McDonalds, White Castle, Butter Fingers, Burger King, Wendy's... they were always there to either comfort or congratulate me.
When you're a child and your brain is being shaped to think of food in this way, you really have zero control or say in the process. You follow the examples of those who are responsible for your upbringing and development (code words for parents). In a sense I was "married" to food during my childhood. It became my partner when I was a kid and served to help sooth my emotions during the years when I felt love and comfort wasn't available anywhere else.
In my late twenties I married a beautiful, loving, caring woman who loved (and still loves) me unconditionally. She began to shape my life and throughout the years has helped me understand many things about myself and the world around me. I fell in love with her then and I love her even more now after 25 years. However, during those years I always maintained my relationship with my first love, Food. At times I cooled down the relationship and saw food for what it is.. fuel. But eventually my childhood programming would creep back in and food would regain it's hold of me.
I'm happy to declare that those days are over. As "Kay", wife of "Michael Corleone" put it in "The Godfather" when she threatened "La Familia"... "THIS MUST ALL END". Only for me it's not a threat. It's a promise.
Food has no heart. Food has no ability to offer kind words. Food has no arms.. it can't hug me. Food can't look me in the eye and listen to me when I need someone to talk with. Food can't "high five" me when something great happens. Food is simply fuel.
So.. that said.. it's official.. I'm breaking up with you food... for good. I will have to use you daily for fuel to survive and I'll enjoy your taste but that's it. I don't want and won't except your hugs or smiles anymore. It's not going to be easy because I've loved you for so long. But, I will not let myself be controled by you any longer.
So Goodbye Food and Hello Life!
ETL
ps. Thanks to the person who was the inspiration for this post.
Excellent post! I think this is true of many of us that are food-addicted. The way you articulated it here, I think, is brilliant. Thanks for an excellent post!
ReplyDeletethanks.. after much self-analysis it's the only logical explanation I can come up with. i hope this helps others. it certainly helped me to write it.
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