You Are What You Eat

I think everyone, at one point or another, has heard this ever important phrase.  But the question is why, on a blog about zen and the law, am I discussing the importance and absolute necessity (note the underline) of a healthy, well-balanced diet in your life?  The answer to that is simple:  There can be no balance above, if there is no balance below.

So what does that mean?

Quite simply, it means that if you want to begin a practice of mindfulness and tranquility, but you just scarfed down a double bacon cheeseburger with ( for good measure) a  large diet coke, in all likelihood, your brain, and your poor heart, are not going to be up to anything but a nap.  In other words, nourishing the mind goes hand and hand with nourishing the body: there can be no balance above, if there is no balance below.

I bring this point up on this blog because lawyers, like many other professionals, and increasingly like most of our society, are often guilty of what I like to call "speed eating."  This refers to the oft-practiced art of grabbing the most convenient, accessible, and in all likelihood, terrible, thing around as a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner before you head to court, make that phone call, review that brief, or get ready for that early morning deposition.

Overtime, this bad habit of never taking an extra ten or fifteen minutes to stop and enjoy your food and to select something that isn't just convenient, but that is actually beneficial, can be highly detrimental to both you and your practice.  On the other hand, choosing foods that are healthy, nutritious, fresh and delicious can mean a huge difference to the most important tool a lawyer has at his/her disposal: the mind.  Check out this WebMd article on super foods that are great for memory, alertness, and concentration http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/slideshow-brain-foods-that-help-you-concentrate (I think a sharp memory, alertness, and concentration are all good to have as a lawyer!! My guess is that the big breakfast platter from your local fast food dispensary isn't listed, but I could be wrong.................No, I'm not, I already read the list, and trust me, it's not there)

The zen philosophy in all of this comes in with the mindful eating of your breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  But again, what does that mean?

Mindful eating refers to the principle of taking time to eat and enjoy your food.  In fact, a recent New York Times article discusses the new phenomenon quite extensively (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/08/dining/mindful-eating-as-food-for-thought.html?_r=1).  When you actually take the time to buy, make, or invest in good food, and you savor that food and appreciate it, it can really foster a sense of appreciation for all that went into getting that food to your plate (farms, animals, people, effort, time, resources, etc.).  Additionally, I'm also sure that if you took the time to appreciate that fried chicken and sweet tea combo (I went to law school down south, so I'm going to go after sweet tea too :)), you'd find that its not quite as enjoyable as you think it is.

Most importantly, this whole post is about taking the right steps to make you feel better and to foster a sense of calm and tranquility in your day.  Nothing keeps you going like keeping your body's furnace burning with healthy, fresh, and delicious options and nothing, in my opinion, makes the mind happier than that.

That's all for now.  Have a great weekend.

And
as always,

Namaste Everyone...and Put Down that Fork for a Second Enjoy Your Healthy Meal.  Your Mind, and maybe even your client, Will Thank You For It.