Sunday, February 10, 2008

a short thought on fasting

i wanted to share our priest's concept of fasting:

to regain control over ourselves

i like that definition. in my day-to-day affairs (of work, of the heart, of the loins), i pretty much am in auto-pilot. i let my 'self' indulge in food, in clothes, in being nasty or bitchy, in being impatient. it just happens. the jeepney driver cuts the car on the road, i curse. i see that great polo shirt, with just the right bright orange, i buy. i see lechon, i devour. stimulus-response for much of the time.

lent reminds me through fasting that it doesnt have to be this way all the time. that in between stimulus and response is the will to choose to respond in one manner over another. fasting is practicing willpower. choosing to not buy that shirt because someone out there may need the cash more than i do the shirt. choosing not to devour the lechon (maybe just a pinch?). you get the picture.

and that's the value of fasting during fridays. i am in control again. and because i am in control again, i can choose to be nicer, healthier, more generous. i can choose to be a better me.

now if i can only get the willpower to start... :)

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

New layout... new life... new start...

(para kang galing ng rehab?? AA??)

hehe. here's my support to you! Kampay!

FBITC

Dave Ramirez said...

ok yung sa lechon part... it'd be a good prep for summer getaways :)

Anonymous said...

fasting..nice one. baka u want to join my campaign CC, Vegan on Friday (as a support to Mark Xander "d VEgan Prince" VEganism. Since i dont have enough will power not to eat meat (yummy burgers, bacon, haayy) then i just want to enjoin everyone not to eat meat on friday (also in line with the "friday no meat" during lent)

closet case said...

FBITC: yeah. part of the moving on drama! cheers!

dave: a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips!

josh: i dont know if i could go strictly vegan. i do work out and need to supplement my protein intake. (kina-career ba?) hehehe.

John Halcyon von Rothschild said...

I do purge once in a while. I only drink Evian for a day. It really cleans the system out. I usually do it after a night of partying and drinking too much liquor.

I imagine that you have "I Will Survive" playing in your car and on your ipod. :) One door closes, another one opens. Always keep an open mind and an open heart.

bluegreyx said...

nice POV on fasting. i believe in carrying only what i can and not to have a lot of excess baggage as walk on the road i call LIFE... anyway, i think i can still squeeze in that new iPhone in my luggage... :).

closet case said...

i am impressed with your will power, john! evian for an entire day. wow. i will survive is the national anthem. =) thanks.

bluegreyx: thanks for visiting... and as for that iPhone... =)