" ... The Things We Cannot Change ..."
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Most of us are familiar with The Serenity Prayer. If you're not, it's worth learning. And to take to heart. The message is simplicity itself and is ... well ... serene: God grant me the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. We fret and perseverate about nearly everything around us, things we read in the news, hear on one of the fourteen billion podcasts, or see videos about calamities dreamt up by feckless social media knuckleheads. But fixating on things beyond our control only serves to sprain our brain, not to mention waste our time and energy.
One of the most obvious unchangeable things, and one that everyone has, is the past. It's always there, but we needn't lug it around. Some of us filter the past, selecting only the good stuff. That's nice. It's not always accurate, but it's nice. I throw no shade at anyone who applies a metaphorical sieve to their memories, with only awesome things making it through the screening process. But there are those of us who glom on to less happy recollections. We remember every time we fell short, fell flat, or flat-out screwed up. We remind ourselves that we've tried so many times to accomplish or complete or merely to start doing—or being—better. We remind ourselves that we've played the fool before, even if no one else noticed or cared about our so-called failings. Our shortcomings often exist only between our ears. And with the negative notions continually percolating to the top of our thoughts, our past often overcomes our present and can derail the potential of our future.
We can't change what we've done previously. We must accept that fact and leave the past where it belongs: behind us.
The Gordian knot of 'what I did before controls what I will do now' might be most impactful regarding diet. Many of us have made countless efforts to lose weight or feel better, turn a new page, or move on to the next chapter, only to make false starts. Or we indeed start but quickly sputter out, head hell low. We internalize and own any missteps as indications of our inadequacy. "I've never succeeded at diets. Not once"
For reasons unknown, we wrap ourselves in the cloak of 'Bungler.' We tell ourselves, "Every time I try to take charge of my eating, I botch it." Enough of this self-flagellation can wear you right down. Our internal monologue can eventually salt the earth, and our current efforts to manage our health, weight, and happiness wither in infertile soil.
In "The Tempest," Shakespear wrote. "What's past is prologue." While we can't undo our previous actions, we can learn from them if we're keen on doing so. We're not destined to repeat them. With a nod to S.E. Hinton, we should remind ourselves, 'That was then, this is now.'
In other words, [potty mouth alert]: We must let that shit go.
The past is immutable. The future is limitless. And the only thing between the two is the present. 'Now' is the only thing we have any control over, and nearly the only thing over which we have true control is what we put in our gobs. Prevent hurricanes? No. Make a thankless child adore us? Ha! Figure out how our remote control works? Not bloody likely. But can we decide not to eat those chips? Absolutely!
Let's work on serenity, change, and wisdom. They are available to us all right now, right here and in this moment.
Onward!
Disclaimer: I’m not a medical doctor, researcher, or Ph.D., but instead, I’ve been fortunate to have had the time and resources to research the ketogenic diet, also known as LCHF (low carb/high fat). The information I share is based solely on my understanding of that research. We are all responsible for our own choices, including what we put in our mouths, and there’s no substitute for each of us checking things out ourselves. And I’m not a medical professional in any way. Go Keto With Casey is not a medical site. “Duh,” you might say. But best to make it clear to all. I welcome questions, comments, and even civil criticism. I’m still learning. So, if you have something to add, go for it. Links in this post and all others may direct you to affiliate links, where I will receive a small amount of the purchase price of any items you buy through those links. Thanks!
