As I was out for a run the other day I began to ponder the value of life and my struggle with meaning. I had just finished the cleanse with hopes of cleaner living and breaking my hedonistic want of food. Following a celebratory meal of beer and pizza I felt positively ill. My head was congested with gastro-upset and my body was achy. This made me realize, yet again, that the human condition is bent on death. It takes work and dedication to transform decay. The extra energy and focus to implement exercise, healthy nutrition and balanced mental health is an unending task. It takes about three weeks of dedication to create a routine. However it takes a matter of days to revert back to an unbalanced lifestyle.
Perhaps to make this more clear. It takes less energy, focus or effort to enter into a lifestyle that brings destruction, such as poor eating habits, increased alcohol consumption, smoking, drug use or poor financial practice. However to begin proper nutrition, exercise and absence/moderation of food and alcohol are difficult to initiate and maintain.
Further to this, I am beginning to see how we are looking for a “prepared” version of God. My struggle with God is in flux, but we live in a society that looks for quick fixes. I wonder if I am looking for the “microwaveable” religious experience. Something that takes little time, no effort or commitment and is cheap as possible. If I can’t get my deity in a brightly package box then I have no time for this. Relationships are on the decline, why would I put in energy to build on a relationship with God then. This would take dedication and am I really prepared for that? It is also presumptuous to tell God that I will accept him on my terms, who am I really?
These thoughts surfaced while I was running. I realized, again, that I am running slower, with shorter runs and having increasing struggles at maintaining even this. I am bent to decay and my efforts to thwart this are failing.
That was a very thought provoking blog entry. It is so true that it is easier to do things that are bad for us but it takes so much more effort to do things that are healthy . . . with regards to food, exercise or God. However there is the temporary joy in the "unhealthy" activities but there is yucky feelings that come after. Enjoying a delicious fattening meal then feeling gross later on . . . enjoying the initial buzz but the headache of too much the next day is disheartening. So is it the same with God??
ReplyDeleteOur lives would be better in the long run if we made healthy food choices and excercised on a regular basis so if we invest in our relationship with God will that bring us the joy that we are lacking? But like you said we are a society looking for quick fixes and we are not willing to invest the time and energy. Instant gratification . . . but no long term joy. So what does it take to convince us to invest in the long term instead of the short term?? I don't know . . . very interesting thoughts you really got me thinking love . . . xo
Deep Stuff guy! Interesting what surfaces when one is running. Looking forward to exploring these things face to face :D Only one more week till we are there. Enjoy Disneyland.
ReplyDeleteLater Neighbour