I’ve been fasting for the last three weeks. An intermittent fast, now lasting between 22 and 23 hours. Eating one meal a day, I am losing weight, and I feel better. At the same time, I am often distracted with being hungry, usually between ten and noon.
That part, I am not enjoying.
But I am learning some interesting things during this intermittent fast. The awareness of myself is growing in an interesting (to me) way. I can feel my thoughts and emotions much more clearly. My mind seems clearer as well. I like it when the hunger goes away, and all of a sudden, I realize, this must be what the Ancient Greek philosophers spoke about. When the body no longer pulls at you constantly, for eating and more. There is a sense of peace in it. I’m still figuring out how to not eat quite so much at the one meal that I feel bloated for several hours afterward.
My mornings last week were spent taking an individual to a place, then returning, impacting my writing schedule; however, it is only for two weeks, this one and next, then I will be free to get up early and write in the peace and solemnity that creates these violence-torn science fiction environments. I do love writing, it is the getting started part is often the hardest part. There’s always something interesting to distract me. But these are just the normal struggles that come with writing novels.
Life has settled down since we sold our old house, and are now fully present in the new one. I do love the new house, the stonework, the large size, my much larger office/studio, and the amazing golf course view from the large window at the rear of the house. I’ve been selling some gear I don’t think I will use and clearing space. It’s nice to actually have room within my office/studio to do the things I enjoy doing.
Life is peaceful, and I enjoy that.
I think that as you get older, and the calls of the flesh (eating, and other bodily sundry things) should wane. Allowing the philosophical parts of your mind to grow and flourish. My relationship with my beloved is fulfilling and beautiful; I am blessed far more than I deserve.
Oh, the things I know now, at this fine age of sixty-three. So many things I look back over my life were time wasted. However, I would not be here in gratitude and wonder without those experiences. The darkness of the past is the opportunity to learn and become more.
I am glad it is over, those first two-thirds. For this last third is the most delightful, far making up for the horror of my childhood and the even worse first marriage.
