Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Day 17:  Food As Medicine

Soul Hunger
Food has been my drug of choice for 20+ years and especially since I quit smoking 14 years ago. I never knew there were so many kinds of hunger, but I learned recently there are at least 7 different kinds that we feed when it's not appropriate. One of these is soul hunger.  

Due to PTS, I was trapped in my house and then my body for 18 years. My soul was starved for sunshine and moonlight and nature. I used to see the moon rise outside my window and break into sobs because I couldn’t make myself walk out my front door.

The panic began in 2000, a year or two after I gave up all my other addictions. Up until that time, my life had been 40 years of solid trauma. It’s like it took me 18 years to believe it was over. I can’t mourn for what is lost. I get to start new now. My favorite affirmation is I believe.

Now I am cured, for a year now. I really think if I make the time to nurture my soul every day with nature, I will have much fewer cravings and false hunger. So today, tonight, I am starting my “Steel Bars Made of Smoke” haikus again. Only I need a new title. No more bars (panic attacks, agoraphobia). No more smoke (fear). 🙏💕.

On August 22nd, I went out for a walk for the first time since I found out about my broken foot (which is healing slowly but surely). It felt so great to be out again. When I got home I wrote the haiku, below. This is a new beginning, a new way to feed my soul. Every night, I’ll ask myself this question:

“Did you go outside today?”

I hope to say “Yes!” and spend more time every day in nature every day from now on.

Steel Resolve Made of Hope


PS I just realized line 8 (“When I walked…”) isn’t 7 syllables. I guess I’m out of practice. ^_^

Featured painting by Niki Flow.

I hope you're having a beautiful weekend.
We're doing the Grateful for Health Challenge again on KindSpring.org. Today is Day 17.  This 2019 Grateful-for-Health challenge is our 27th 21-day challenge together since 2015. It's been very soul-feeding.  (And you are very welcome to join, even now. You'll have access to all 21 days). It's always free of course and no strings attached.  No spam emails, but you can elect to sign up for The Daily Good which is the opposite of spam, highly recommended and also very soul-feeding.

Every day there's a bonus challenge for anyone up for it:  On Day 1, write down 1 thing for which you're grateful; on day 2, 2 things; and so on.  Those things usually coincide with whatever the theme is for the day.  Today's was "Food As Medicine."  I shared yesterday's post about soul hunger in Steel. Then, instead of listing 17 healing foods, I rewrote part of the lyrics from one of my favorite Police songs for today's 17 gratitudes.  =)

Day 17 Gratitude Journal:

1 every step I take
2 every move I make
3 every protein shake
4 every yam I bake
I am healthier

5 every time I pray
6 affirmations say
7 every song I play
8 every kindness day
I am healthier

9 I finally see
10 I belong to me
11 oh my dear heart heals
12 when I honor self deals

1 every step I take
2 every move I make
3 every protein shake
4 every yam I bake
I am healthier

Since I've been gone I was lost without a trace
In the mirror didn't recognize my own face
I looked around and it's me I can't replace
I felt so old and I longed for the sun's embrace
I kept crying, help me, help me, please

9 I finally see
10 I belong to me
11 oh my dear heart heals
12 when I honor self deals

13 every day outside
14 when I do not hide
15 every time I've tried
16 looked at the upside
I am healthier

15 every time I've tried
16 looked at the upside
I am healthier
I am healthier*

17 this moment =)
♥.
*Repeats so that it goes with the song

https://youtu.be/OMOGaugKpzs