Chocolate Thoughts, Zen Thoughts!

Recently, I've allowed a love for chocolate to get out of control. Everyday, around 3 pm, I have one thought going through my head: CHOCOLATE. I then make a quick trip to the gas station to satisfy the craving and then spend the next hour wondering why I did it because I feel gross. I believe with anything you do in life, you should do it with a zen mind. My current out of control chocolate eating does not in any way exhibit a zen mind.

How to tame the desire? Is it necessary to tame the desire? How do you actually tame a desire? These are my first thoughts as I try to reconfigure a perception that is bringing me down. There has been some weight gain and other unhealthy foods justified because of my gateway drug which is chocolate. I feel like I could save a few bucks or put them to better use by not buying a treat everyday. I could list all the reasons why this eating obsession is causing me grief, but I'd rather share my resolution.

Observe the picture below:

Why do I like this? How come this brings me so much clarity? Can rocks and sand bring clarity? It does. This picture has overcome obstacles by gently flowing past them. It is clean and crisp bringing about thoughts of organization and focus. This is the result of a zen mind. This mind is what I will apply to my chocolate desires. Do I need to be extreme and eliminate all chocolate, sugars, sweets, or anything chocolate brown? No. I need to be more aware of the cause and effect and become more mindful of my body. I'll only have this body once during my tiny duration on our tiny pale blue dot in the middle of no where, so I'd better take care of it and be careful. 

I plan on becoming more strict about eating chocolate, other sweets, and junk food. I will need to eliminate the unnecessary and make better choices from my diet. I will incorporate knee friendly exercise back into my life and I will report back once I'm done. I owe it to myself as human being who appreciates life, a husband, zen practitioner and iaidoka for life. 

For now, I leave you with this zen thought by Suzuki Roshi:

“In fact, the truth of Zen is the truth of life, and life means to live, to move, to act; not merely to reflect.”