Who's Hungry?

We are all hungry. Some of us are even starving, and I don't mean we can't wait to stuff ourselves with that next giant pizza. If you are like most of us you are experiencing emotional or spiritual hunger. You feel like something is missing in your life, but you can't quite figure out where that feeling is coming from or why you have the feeling at all. Therefore, we often feed ourselves the wrong things trying to satisfy our cravings.

We try to fill the holes, but sometimes we miss the mark. Perhaps we are craving a new relationship, but instead of putting ourselves out there and actually talking to a real live human being, we feed that craving with chips and ice cream and end up with a relationship with food and a body that doesn't serve our highest selves. Or maybe we have a spiritual craving that we try to fill with relationships. We surround ourselves with people all the time and end up with many friends and acquaintances in our lives, but still feel empty and lonely and without a spiritual connection to a higher power.

We also have different cravings at different times in our lives. What are you craving now? Is it a new job, a new relationship, a spiritual connection, a purpose? Maybe it's Kentucky High Pie (If you've never had Kentucky High Pie, you are in for a treat!) Or maybe you don't even know what it is yet. Many people feel like something is missing in their lives. We are craving something, but can't quite put our finger on exactly what it is.

This book will help you to discover what's missing and find a way to satisfy your true cravings to nourish your mind, body and soul and yes, it will even satisfy your craving for pie!

Start by asking yourself this question, "What do I really want my life to look like?"

How many times do you ask yourself this question? Once a year when you are making your resolutions, or maybe never? We go through our life trying to accomplish things daily, weekly, or on the five or ten year plan. Take a moment to look closely at the life you've created up to this point. Now, think about the life you really want. Do these pictures in your head look similar or does one look like a finger painting done by a three year old and the other a masterpiece by Norman Rockwell? My guess is there are probably some areas that need to be changed or at least spruced up a bit.

Now, here's a big secret, and yes, you are getting it in the first chapter!

So it is time to ask yourself, what do you believe? What are you telling yourself? All that chatter in your head ... is it naughty or nice? Take a look at your life as it is today. How did you get here? Did it just happen to you or did you consciously create it? Here's a hint: (in a whisper) You created it. Either consciously or unconsciously, but all the choices you have made in the past have brought you to this point in time. So let's reflect for a moment with a little exercise called "Stop, Start, Continue." Looking at your life right now, what would you like to stop? Would you like to stop saying "yes" to everyone who asks you to do anything - from watching their kids to cutting their grass? Would you like to stop smoking twenty-three cigarettes a day? Would you like to stop telling yourself how much you hate your body? I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

Things I would like to stop:

1. _________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________

Now think about what you would like to start. Would you like to begin a new creative hobby like painting or playing music? Would you like to start moving your body more in a fun way? Would you like to learn how to cook healthy delicious meals for your family? What would you like to add to your life right now that would bring joy, health, and love into your life or the lives of others?

Things I would like to start:

1. _________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________

And finally, what would you like to continue? Let's give ourselves some credit here. We are doing something right! Maybe you are already an amazing cook and you bless your family and friends with scrumptious food for any occasion. Perhaps you are already a health nut and you share your tips with others. Maybe you are a great parent. Maybe you are the best underwater basket weaver in North America. We all have gifts and talents. What are you doing well in your life right now that you would like to keep doing because it brings joy and love to yourself and those around you? (Everyone loves your underwater woven baskets so don't stop making those, please.)

Things I would like to continue:

1. _________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________

At this point you have a nice list of things you would like to stop, start and continue. This is our starting point. This list is fluid, meaning it will change and grow as we evolve. It is not carved in stone, as nothing in this life really is. Everything can change, and we have the power to change anything we want.

So congratulations on taking the first step! You've reflected on your life and identified some things that work and things that need some work. So onto the next step in the process. Now, this is an easy one, and you're going to love it. Are you ready? Step two is Be Still. Yep, that's right. Be still. This may sound too simple, but it can be more challenging than you might think.

Now you might be saying, "Are you crazy? I don't have time to be still! Have you seen all the things I have to accomplish each day?" That's just the point. We go through our days in a crazy-busy, hurried manner trying to get everything done for our families, our jobs, the school and the community, and we barely take any time for ourselves. If we take a few minutes each day to take care of ourselves, we will have ten times the amount of love and energy to give to others. It's time we stop, listen and learn to recognize the many signs the universe sends us to guide us through our most amazing life experience.

Getting quiet can take many forms, such as prayer or meditation. I've heard people say that prayer is talking to God and meditation is listening. I've also heard of people exercising until they feel the stillness (but I'm convinced these people are a rare breed of 12 or so who live high up in the Himalayan mountain tops). Maybe you already practice thirty minutes of meditation...