Monday, September 29, 2014

Anything but Harmonious

So, I joined eHarmony this weekend.  Today, I cancelled it.  In two short days.  I didn't necessarily have a bad experience with the site itself; it was actually kind of fun setting up my profile (I always loved personality quizzes and defining yourself, oddly).  What made me cancel it today is what it did to my heart.  I signed up on a whim, really, but in reality for the last couple of weeks I'm been becoming more and more discontent, and this brought the discontentment out in full bloom.

This is in no way a reflection on why others would go about dating this way (seriously, no judgement!), but what it did in me was crazy destructive!  I felt shame.  I felt like a kid waiting to get picked last for kickball.  I felt like I wasn't trusting God.  I could feel the pull towards it being an obsession.  I was afraid of actually having to meet someone I didn't know.  It felt unnatural.  It made me fixate on guys and the possibility of a guy when that (in that particular way) hasn't been a problem of mine in years.  I felt afraid that I couldn't even trust myself to make wise decisions.  I even felt afraid of things changing, despite how much I long for that next stage.  I felt stupid for feeling so many different, conflicting things.  I could just completely feel my soul twisting, and I felt dirty because of it.  I worried.  And worry simply means that you don't really believe that what God has planned for you is best for you, or that he won't get it right.  And that is the most absurd thing in the world.

It ended in a frantic, almost in tears morning text message to Allie who graciously and perfectly reassured me.  I am valuable regardless of marital status (despite how well-meaning old ladies make me feel).  Getting married and having kids (though I want it desperately) will not fulfill me.  I have a great life, and with or without a man I will still have a great life, and I have kids in my life that I love terribly.  I am not lacking in love no matter what my sin nature tries to convince me.

It's ironic how our post-feminist-revolution and free love world really does nothing to free you from these desires.  Often, it seems our world makes it worse by fueling the idea that someone else can complete you or you can even fulfill yourself or that open legs and drunken nights is the best of life.  But take it back to first principles, take it back to the roots and we can see that those things fade and our desires wane, only God doesn't change.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Grainy brain

So, I've never read a diet book in my life.  Diet books are stupid as fads are stupid. And I'm not reading a diet book now, but I came upon a Dr. Perlmutter whose book  "Grain Brain" has come in my radar and I cannot put it down.

My number one fear in old age is getting Alzheimers, and I worry because I don't have the best memory or general health.  It struck me the other day when i posted on Facebook about being sick (because school just started up) and a friend said "girl, ur always sick".  Several years ago one of the best friends made the same observation with concern.  And I am. I always have been.

I've always felt lousy and had headaches and I get colds all the time. Ive had bad headaches my entire life.  And now I'm reading this book and he has a trustworthy, uncomplicated answer for all of this.  The book is very well researched and explanatory and perfectly contradicts the years of failed low-fat high-carb propaganda that continues as diabetes and heart disease and Alzheimers continues to skyrocket.  The author is not only a neurologist but a nutritionist as well.  Not to mention, it's actually a good read -  I read it instead of my novel in the BATH and I can't put it down!

So, I'm going to finish this book. I'm going to try the few changes he outlines (yes few, this isn't some crazy complicated or intensely restrictive grapefruit thing) and if this works, I will begin to annoy you because I love you.