Junk Food

Most of the time, I am not in a rush.  For part of my adult life, I was always in a rush. There was full-time school, full-time work and responsibilities at home. My days were hectic and I ran from one thing to another with little time for myself. 

As I evolved, and in this season of my life, I make it a priority to take my time.  That means enjoying the people I’m with and the places I’m at. I am fully present.  I live more consciously now. I focus on the things that matter and people that matter.  I can also focus more on myself, because I matter too.

The other day, I found myself in a bit of a hurry. I had just worked a full day. I had a few errands to run and I had a 5 hour drive ahead of me. I was hungry because I didn’t eat all day. I just wanted something, anything.  I decided to go through a fast food drive-through. I waited a few minutes and the food was out. It passed through my car window to me. 

The first few bites of food were OK because I was hungry.  But, after that, I noticed the smell from the food was unfamiliar. I wondered what it was cooked in.  When I took a bite of the french fry, it had a weird texture.  It was still partially frozen.  It was pretty disappointing. I thought, this can’t be good for me.

Typically,  I don’t buy frozen food. For the most part, I eat fresh food. Everything in our life comes down to a choice. The way we care for ourselves and others, the food that we eat, the people that we are around and the places we live.

There are different seasons within our life.  Sometimes, we have to take shortcuts and we go through the drive through.  But, for the most part, we don’t want junk food in our life. We don’t want junk people either. We don’t want junk jobs or junk lives or junk homes. We want all parts of our life to be stable and healthy.    

Junk food can apply to anything in our lives. We want to think in a healthy way too. Life is full of so many situations and opportunities. Some will be pure, some junk food.  Places and people will look like fast food restaurants or well maintained establishments.  Look for a nice restaurant or a homemade meal.  

There are many people who get used to convenience. Sometimes we’re just tired. Sometimes we’re in a rush because we don’t have enough hours in the day to fit in all of our responsibilities. We think about making concessions or accepting what’s just OK. 

Always remember that you are your number one responsibility and obligation. You will always be there for you. Make sure your diet is a good one. Just as people get used to the convenience of fast food, they get used to the convenience of fast relationships. This looks like not working on having or finding healthy relationships, friendships or work situations.  

Sometimes, you know that something is not good for you but you accept it because it is convenient.  If you are in a situation where people start to make you a problem, it’s because they cannot manage their problems or internal struggles.  Most people absorb that negativity.  Please don’t, it’s junk food. 

You can’t mesh with unhealthy environments, situations or people so don’t waste time and energy trying to understand them. Instead work on understanding yourself. Then you will see in others what is unhealthy or healthy. 

We are physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual people. We have to feed all of the areas of our life. You cannot be in places or with people who are out of balance, that is junk food.  Know that you deserve healthy situations, people, opportunities, places and food.  

Am I perfect, no, absolutely not.  I love my cheeseburgers, pizza and Diet Pepsi.  However, that’s on occasion. Mainly, I drink water, herbal teas, coffee and cook fresh food at home.  I have learned to prioritize my emotional health by surrounding myself with people who work on themselves and who prioritize growth and well-being. 

Limiting “junk food” means I have to set boundaries with people that don’t treat others well.  I understand that I have to take care of my physical body. I know that being in and creating good environments is essential to my health.  Prioritizing my connection to nature and prayer will keep me in balance. These simple things are good for my overall wellbeing.

In a country where fast food, fast relationships and fast living is prioritized and where most things are disposable, we have to resist.   We have to make a conscious effort to maintain our balance and to be mindful of “junk food”.