PSALMS 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast established: what is man that thou art mindful of him?
[Revised Standard translation]
The Hubble Space telescope estimates that there may be hundreds of billions of galaxies in the universe. One German super-computer estimated that the number may be as high as 500 billion. We, inhabitants of the planet Earth, live in one of those galaxies---the galaxy called the Milky Way. Eight other planets reside with Earth in this solar system. We used to have nine planets until some astronomers decided that Pluto should be "demoted" to "dwarf planet" status in 2006; thus, reducing the number from nine to eight.
Even within our Milky Way Galaxy there are billions of stars. Some estimate that there are at least 100 billion (100,000,000,000) of them. On a clear night we may be able to see only a few thousand stars with the naked eye. When we consider all of the other amazing creations in our universe and our galaxy such as the Sun, the Moon, the various star clusters and constellations, like Orion (The Hunter), The Plough (The Big Dipper), Polaris (called The North Star or The Pole star), no wonder that a shepherd (a star gazer) tending a flock of sheep thousands of years ago might declare in amazement: "what is man[kind] that THOU art mindful of him[her]."
Although some days we might think otherwise, the Bible declares that GOD is so mindful of us that even the very hairs on our heads are numbered (Matt 10:30). Oh, how ironic it is that humankind should become more enamored and more mindful of those hairs than of GOD. Or, that we, the created, should become more mindful of the things that we create (e.g., iPhones, Blackberries, cell phones, small screen televisions, big screen televisions, video games, cameras, iPads, laptops, cars, homes, clothes, money, war, financial deficits, global warming, etc.) than we are of our AWESOME CREATOR, GOD.
MINDFUL EATING
Many of us grew up in homes where family members were mindful of eating. In some families, grocery day was just one designated day of the week. Buying groceries from a "corner store," if there was one, was expensive so parents were careful to try to buy enough to last until the next grocery shopping day. Some families living on a fixed monthly income purchase groceries for the whole month on a single day. In these homes, food had to last 30 to 31 days.
Members of those families knew that the best meals were at the beginning of the month rather than the end of the month, when the pantry was low. In bygone days, it was common for the family members to mentally count the pieces of food on a platter as the food was being served, everyone mindful of just how many pieces of each item they were allowed---everyone trying to determine if they could take "one piece" or "two pieces."
In some families bread had to "rationed out" so that there would be enough bread left over for everyone the next day because adults and children needed sandwich bread for lunch. This was before all of the modern day fast food restaurants and hot-food school cafeterias. In those days, people were just mindful of what they ate and drank. Some of the mindfulness of those "bygone days" may have been the result of "poverty" or the result of families just struggling to make ends meet, but people paid attention to eating.
Today, those who study eating are finding that being mindful about eating is still extremely important. According to Stephanie Vangsness in "Mastering the Mindful Meal:"
It may come as a big surprise to learn that "mindless" eating or eating without
awareness, can have negative health consequences. Scientists are beginning to evaluate and better understand the complex role of the mind-body connection in eating behavior. It turns out that when our mind is tuned out during mealtime, the digestive process may be 30% to 40% less effective. This can contribute to digestive distress, such as gas, bloating and bowel irregularities.
Gas and bloating aside, overeating and obesity are perhaps the most significant health problems caused, at least in part, by mindless eating. The mind-body connection plays a pivotal role in our ability to accurately assess hunger and fullness.
[Emphasis added.] Ms. Vangsness goes on to state that while "the precise mechanism of hunger and fullness are not completely understood," there is a connection between the brain and central nervous system and the signals they receive from the body when food is desired or needed. These "signals" are caused by many 'triggers" including our mood. "Once eating is under way, the brain has a key role to send out a signal when fullness is approaching. If the mind is "multi-tasking" during eating, critical signals that regulate food intake may not be received by the brain. If the brain does not receive certain messages that occur during eating, such as "the sensation of taste" or "satisfaction," or is not mindful of these "signals" and "triggers", "the brain may fail to register the event as ''eating." This lack of mindfulness thus leads to overeating. See, "Mastering the Mindful Meal," by Stephanie Vangsness, R.D., L.D.N., C.N.S.D.
Some tips for mindful eating include:
- Slowing the eating process (e.g. Take time to examine, whether you are hungry, when you last ate, what you are going to eat, and the time you are eating---close to bed, early in the morning, right before dinner).
- Exam the meal and presentation. Decide on the plate size, determine what you will drink, imagine the colors of your meal. Is there anything green? Are you eating fresh fruits or vegetables? How much salt and sugar are in the meal?
- What are you thinking about while you eat? Are you multi-tasking, looking at a computer or watching TV? See if you start to feel your fullness increase with eat bite.
MINDFUL LIVING
Today, practice "Mindful Living." Mindful living should include "mindful praying." Be mindful of the words of your prayers and to WHOM you pray. Take a few minutes and think about some of the things GOD has done for you this week, this month or this year. Take time to mentally write a Thank You note to GOD.
If you exercise today, be mindful of your form, the position of your body, what group of muscles you are exercising, how much water you are drinking and your breathing. Think about how you feel as you stretch and what you want to accomplish. Listen to your body.
During the course of the day, take a few minutes and look up. Look at all the stars and the moon. Enjoy the majesty and beauty of GOD's work. Feel the warmth of the sun. Feel warmth of THE SON, who gave HIS LIFE for us.
Today, like the shepherd David, take time to Be Mindful of just how AWESOME GOD IS. Today, practice mindfulness and BE BLESSED!
