Healthy attitude toward diabetes

Blood and Honey: This link offers an interesting perspective on the psychology of suffering, specifically with diabetes. The hope of the film is that we who suffer from chronic illness learn to move from avoidance, denial or fateful resignation and from their associated pain. We need to embrace the reality of our condition with constructive acceptance and resolve to move forward in a healthy way.

The Five Remembrances in Buddhist wisdom:
I am of the nature to grow old; I cannot escape aging
I am of the nature to get sick;I cannot escape sickness
I am of the nature to die; I cannot escape death
I will grow separated from all that I cherish; I cannot escape separation and loss
My actions are my only belongings; I cannot escape the consequences of my actions

This documentary is in development. It needs support and funding to be presented to a wide audience.

Eating mindfully: diabetes management

Eating mindfully is one of the greatest tools to getting a grip on poor eating habits. We went to brunch at a nice Indian restaurant yesterday (the reopening of Temptations in Ann Arbor on Washtenaw). The food was great, the service was impeccable, but they had a TV running silently in the corner. I found myself inexorably drawn to the screen.

I see the same thing happening where I work at Whole Foods Market. We have a sound free Food Channel running all day long and many stare at it blankly. I must wonder if they even taste the food they so carefully selected for their health.

Your body wisely knows what it needs and how much is best, but if that information loop is disengaged you loose the control. Diabetes management requires deep listening to you bodies needs and heeding that wisdom.

Here is a good link on Mindfulness and the art of diabetes management.

Learn to love the food that loves you.

Learn to love the food that loves you. It is all in the practice. Yes, we need not be ruled by our cravings. In just walking through life not mindfully, we act on impulses and follow old habits that may not be what is best for us. Simply paying attention to our thoughts before acting we can divert or at least modify behavior that is less than skillful.

Upon seeing a craving for some supposed treat, why not just take a good breath and realize that may be enough. If you still feel the need to indulge, perhaps take a smaller amount. Then just really be with the indulgence and see how you feel about it as it is being consumed. Also really look wither the action was as you expected or wished.