We always want to fix our issues now, even though the problems may have taken years to develop. Patience is hard for western people who are driven to achieve, to succeed, to perform, to make it in whatever way we think is important. Patience is not our strong suite; excepting those in the minority who do have patience. We often don’t have the ability to try to new things, to stick with it, to wait and see how they work. So it goes with changing habits, foods, and all behaviors. Part of us doesn’t really want to change, another part does. It is something of a contest to see which part will win.
I have gotten more patience with age, but it is not easy to wait, even if the time is going to pass regardless; there is that part of us that wants the reward now. We would likely all be doing great if we got the rewards first, then just had to manage the success. (I know this would not be true in all cases.) Part of the work of change is just waiting for time to pass.
My mother used to tell me I was “wishing my life away”; for, in summers particularly, I would be whining about not getting to do this or that, and would be anxious for time to pass since I lived out in the country away from friends and the fun things that were part of the school year. I think many of us never quit wishing our lives away.
Now when you stop sugars-starch-artificial sweeteners, there is reward immediately in terms of health, but we have to stick with it for several months before it becomes natural, and we stop thinking longingly about those treat-type foods we gave up.
There are those few lucky souls who don’t struggle as much as most of us, and that’s good for them, but the majority will need to develop patience. We know that the rewards of avoiding these foods that have made us ill, over weight, addicted, are worthwhile, so if we have faith in the process, we too will become one of that lucky bunch who just don’t care that much about sweets. That’s be a reward truly worth the wait.
Yours in patience,
Nan aka Sugarbaby
Sugaraholics 