Photo: Katherine Dutiel via Google Images saved to my server
Food fasting is one of those disciplines I rarely practice. I did not grow up in a church that celebrated the Lenten fast, so until I got to high school (and knew families who practiced Lent), the concept was foreign to me.
I love the concept of non-food fasting. I can get sucked into a vortex of wasting time and energy pursuing something that may have started out good, but is now not so good for me. Fasting - i.e. abstaining from the now not so good thing - has really helped me maintain balance. Too much time on the internet? I read a good book (or the Good Book ;-> ) A day filled with negative comments both given and received? I plug into my iPod playlists. As soon as I find myself getting ready to engage in the 'off limits' activity, I STOP and redirect.
The fasts can be a day, a week, or maybe a lifetime. I've broken some bad habits using the 'fasting' method: the keys are to find a replacement activity that is beneficial and to remain vigilant.Those vortexes can be sneaky.