Life is short, so they say, and I want to live it for as long as I can. I vaguely remember being young and stupid and thinking to live hard and die young would somehow be superior to being boring and getting old. Now, in my mid-thirties, I don't mind the getting older part, boring is relaxing, and I sure don't want this life cut off any sooner than it has to be.
There is side of me that believes life should be enjoyed in every possible way, that cutting myself off from the foods that make me happy is simply no way to live. Life is short, let them eat cake! But one of the consequences of getting older is you realize your body can't handle that cake the way it used to, and you become a little more rational about things. I still believe that I should enjoy food, but I have to find healthier ways to do it.
Food is so connected with joy for so many of us. It's at the center of all of our holidays and celebrations; a date night with my husband involves eating, a relaxing Sunday morning is not complete without brunch. I'm aware that the connection between food and fun is a societally created one, and I'm aware of the fact that I don't actually have to stuff my face with waffles to enjoy a fantastic Sunday with my family. But every time I tell myself "I'm going to eat healthy this weekend", or "I'm not going to be a glutton at that party", I fail, because all around me people are eating and laughing and you just get carried into that.
The point of this is that there is a very strong part of me that believes that a life of abstaining from the rich, delicious, unhealthy foods I love is not one worth living. But there is another part of me that knows I can't eat that way and live the many long years I want to enjoy. And I do want to live many, many years, because there's a whole lot of things I've yet to see and experience, and I have some fantastic people I want to spend as many years knowing as I possibly can.
So there has to be a balance. And unfortunately, I have the type of personality that has difficulty with balance. There's never just one glass of wine or just a taste of chocolate cake. I'm all in or I sit out the game entirely. But it's time for me to find the balance.
I want to live a long time. Because man, this life is beautiful - and yes, part of the beauty of life is delicious food. But I can eat delicious food in a sane, healthy way. At least, I am going to try.
Day 2, Reason 2: To live a long, healthy, happy life.
Not sure what I'm up to? Check out my 30 Days, 30 Reasons, No Scale Challenge.
Life with boys is never still, except here - in portraits painted with words - where I can hold them still.
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