Looking in the window of the Thai Valley Cuisine
Good Day, God!
My husband Kit and I just got back from an early dinner at the Thai Valley Cuisine restaurant. It’s located in Kalama Valley — just past the back of Koko Crater.
We’d been going there for years when the cook bought out the other owner. She sold the liquor license and added lace curtains, table clothes and cloth napkins — pink napkins at that. Oh, and people now are free to bring in their own beer and wine. And guess what: With these changes, business picked up!
As I was eating — too fast — I thought of the lovely article on Mindful Eating that I read the other day and all the wonderful responses to it. It is a Meditation Practice — a way to slow down and practice focusing attention. It’s an excellent idea. So is the idea of eating until I’m only 80% full — or chewing 25 times before swallowing. Actually, if I could just put down my fork between bites I would be thrilled.
Hmm. When I put my fork down between every bite I will be very proud of myself. Yes, God, thank You! It is hard enough to change without staying stuck in a Fixed Mindset. Carol Dweck’s book Mindset is so encouraging, but, I have to remember that I can choose a Growth Mindset!
I guess change is mostly a matter of making continuous small choices. Conscious choices. Deliberate small choices — until they morph into habits. Sigh, I hear our daughter Suzy’s voice in my mind saying, Sit up Straight, Mom. Maybe I need a piece of tape on my back, God. Is that cheating?
But, as I watch myself flit from eating mindfully to sitting up straight I realize that it has to be One Small Change Project at a time. Or at least no more than fit comfortably on the Goal Master app on my iPad. Mostly, though, God, I need a big helping of Hope from You!
Story teller,
A Moment with God 
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