7 of 7--What We've Learned

Our little family just had our final meal of 7 Foods for 7 Days.  Are we happy?  YES!

It's been such an interesting week full of ups and downs and lessons.  I asked my guys what their take-aways for the week were.

Nolan said he learned not to complain.  He said, "At one point I heard myself saying, 'I don't like this pear as much as the other kind.'  Then I thought, 'What in the world am I saying?  I HAVE a pear--something to eat--and so many people don't have anything.'  I'm learning to appreciate what I have more than I did before."

I learned a list of things, some profound and some silly:

• I can lose weight eating all I want if I eat the right foods.  Good news!
• I use food as entertainment.  Barry and I had an evening out, and I couldn't think of anything to do other than go to Starbucks or shop.  Sad.  It's my goal to explore more fun, free and food-less things to do in my life!
• Let me just tell you that the allure of eggs wore off first and quickly.  Just the thought of eggs made me immediately think, "Well, maybe I don't need something to eat right now."  
• 7 days of this wasn't bad at all.  I really can't imagine a month, though, so my friend Marci and any others who have done it that long are my heroes.
• I physically feel fabulous!  I'm officially backing out of my pronouncement of limiting the rest of the month to chicken and fish, but I am sticking to a more whole foods diet.  I feel great.  It tastes good, and I need the change to healthier eating.
• I'm so, so, so, so grateful that God created food and that our family has enough.
• My heart is tenderized toward those who don't have enough, and I'm resolved to spread our blessings instead of hoarding them.

I saved Barry's insight for last, because it was the most profound.  He was amazed at how little he wanted to eat when it was limited.  "I suddenly realized that it's abundance that creates greed."  (Wowza!)  He reminisced about his time in Haiti with people who had little, lived simply and were HAPPY.  

Barry's point pierced my heart.  I think it's how we handle our abundance that counts.  Do we hoard it or do we share it?  Hoarding leads to greed and discontent.  Sharing leads to joy and fulfillment.  Oh, how I want to have a heart to share.