Finding the Right Path

Life is a challenge for all of us. No matter how rich or poor, how intelligent or slow-witted, or how successful or unsuccessful we may appear to be, life never stops being a major challenge and a constant struggle for us all.

Of course there are moments in the sunshine, or by the beach, or in our gardens when life seems perfect for an instant. But regrettably, such moments never last. Before long we return to our struggles.

Philosophers and sages have long spoken of the “Right Path” or the “Path of Life” to deal with our continuing life struggles. There are other metaphors or similar terms, such as the “Right Road”, or just “The Way” to do things. Modern experts still refer to a Career Path, or a Path to Recovery. There are various Paths to deal with our other challenges.

The path each of us is seeking may be as deep and complex as one’s spiritual direction or as mundane as finding employment or even losing weight as a path to good health. Whatever we are seeking, if we are seeking for something good and true, there is a path to be found, however difficult the search may be.

Let me tell you about one of my long struggles and the path I have found to deal with it. Over 30 years I have gained too much weight. My doctor tells me this was the result of my high-flying, executive life style, where I lived on coffee and adrenalin. Eventually my body demanded more and more food to keep up the pace. Now I have what is called a “metabolic syndrome” which often leads to diabetes and heart trouble.

I have what is called “a thrifty gene” which causes my body to slow my metabolism whenever I reduce my calorie intake, which has defeated all my past diets (and there have been many!)

I have now started on the South Beach Diet, which was created by Miami cardiologist Arthur Agatston for his heart patients to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way. It initially involves eating only low-carbohydrate vegetables (no root vegetables) and low-fat proteins (lean meat, fish, reduced-fat cheese and legumes) and avoiding sugar of all kinds, including any fruit. In later stages of the diet it becomes less strict; fruit and healthy carbs are then allowed in moderation.

My main difficulty with this diet has been to find tasty meals with a very limited list of allowed ingredients. I love a creative prospect and have challenged myself to create good recipes that my wife Kathleen also enjoys.

Surprisingly, this diet “Path” is working remarkably well for me so far and I am steadily losing weight, helped by my regular exercise regime of swimming. I sometimes stray from this path for a day and fall back into my former eating habits (which is typical for all dieters), but when I return to the path, the diet keeps working, far better than my previous attempted diets. I hope I have now found the Path to improving my health.

Finding this diet path took me a lot of investigation, experimentation and adaptation (and patience). It is important to realize that there are good solutions to life’s most perplexing situations; there is a path through the maze if you are persistent and humble enough to look for wisdom beyond your self. Many of us are familiar with the saying of Jesus, “Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Finding the right Path for our struggles requires considerable persistence and determination. It requires seeking out Wisdom from the past and information from present day researchers and experts. I will continue to investigate and write further about these matters. My next challenge is to become a writer. I hope that my blogs are the beginning of this next Path.

Depressurizing

Despite my retirement, I discovered this past year that I am still quite susceptible to getting myself overstressed. Building our dream house has been a wonderful project, but I underestimated its emotional toll. First we moved out of our Vancouver house, packed up, got our children settled in new places and said goodbye to the community where we had lived most of our lives.

Then we moved to a tiny one bathroom house on the lovely property where the new house was being built. We were over-crowded with housemates, visitors, workman and possessions stacked up to the ceiling. My involvement in the construction process became virtually full-time, especially when our contractor’s wife was hospitalized for months and he thus needed time off to look after his four young children. Although this recent period was far from the most stressful time in my life, it was nonetheless another storm of action and emotion which left me exhausted.

When we push too hard constantly, we get wound up tighter and tighter. The faster and harder we work the further behind it seems that we get. The only solution is to let go, slow down, and to depressurize (like a deep sea diver slowly coming to the surface and adjusting to less atmospheric pressure).

When I can find inner tranquility and calm, then I can see my priorities clearly. Although I will always have 1001 more things to do, when I focus each day on the most important jobs, everything else also works out fine. There is actually plenty of time available for fun and relaxation.

Those who are unable to slow down voluntarily place themselves into danger of serious trouble, whether physical, emotional or social. They become obsessive, compulsive, and driven. They often crash and burn. Often they find illegitimate ways to escape from this fatiguing pressure, such as through drugs, pharmaceuticals and alcohol.

The key to maintaining our equilibrium in stressful times is to stop completely for a time of recharging before our psyche over-exerts and becomes destabilized. Our nervous system, emotions and digestion are quite susceptible to overheating. Our minds cannot focus when the clutter of activity builds relentlessly without ever a significant time of rest.

Long term efficiency and health requires keeping our entire being in top shape. Regular daily rest and recreation help greatly. But sometimes we need to get away from the rush for an extended shut down in order to recharge our batteries.

Depressurizing is what is what is required.