I was driving to the office today and the little girl inside my head whispered to me, “Stop and get a coffee!” I smiled at the voice and continued to drive on. A few minutes later the voice got louder, “Stop and get a coffee!” I smiled again and replied to her, “Not today, we are on the No Sugar Challenge!” The little girl inside my head started to throw a temper tantrum as the whisper became a scream and I could almost see the little girl kicking her heels and throwing her fists as she wailed, “I want a coffee!!!” Talk about some powerful cravings.
I became uncomfortable as I watched my mind try and justify the coffee, “No one will know”, “Your blood sugar levels are fine”, and “You deserve it”, whispered the little devil on one shoulder. I struggled for control as the little angel on the other shoulder got beat to a pulp by the little devil.
I reached for a tool that I give to my clients; my premeditated statement I use when temptations arise and I need to pull out the big guns. I stated out loud, in my car to no one but myself, “I have had coffee before, I may have it again, I am just not going to have it right now.” Then I sat in discomfort as I drove right past Starbucks.
As soon as I passed, the discomfort faded and I felt a wave of satisfaction. I had managed to delay gratification for the greater goal of health and wellbeing! I smiled at the battle I had just observed between me, and myself, and wondered, “If that was me and myself battling it out, who is I?” Hmmm….
What have you been observing this first week?
Being Present with Powerful Cravings
