“That food is for hamster!” was the latest comment made by an old-time friend last week at a KTV lounge I went to. Singing has always been my passion and hobby, independent of my eating style. So even though I stopped drinking and smoking years ago, and eats living vegan foods, one thing remained unchanged is my love for singing and connecting with like-minded friends.
After he made the comment, we both laughed, and he reached into my bag of Sprouted Sea Salted Pumpkin seeds! I looked at him and asked “So, does this make you a beer-drinking hamster now?” and we both laughed louder.
“I am human; not a hamster!”
Raw Foods can be considered one of the most extreme diets – after having walked the journey for years, I’ve experienced the full throttle social effects besides reaping benefits on body-mind-spirit levels. Some of the feelings I’ve gone through included confusion, isolation, loneliness and sometimes even waking up thinking if I was really mad! Everything only seems to make sense when I’m surrounded by Nature, have my bare feet planted firmly on the soil, soaking in the sea or simply rolling in the grass in my apartment downstairs.
Looking back on the journey, there were social situations which I cruised by when the crowds were more health conscious; there were also plenty which gone wry! I learnt that each situation taught me to handle the next one better.
Some inferences which I’d like to share includes these:
Rule No 1: Thou shall not criticize another’s palate unless asked or invited to opine
Food is an extremely sensitive topic – many people cling to it as if it is their life. They will cite religious, government, political etc writings to defend their rights, and of course they will fight till the end to prove any opposing theories wrong. They are not wrong of course, this is Human Nature. In some literature, it is called Ego.
Years ago, there were times when I took a look at somebody’s plate and said “Do you know you are digging your graves with your spoon?”
You can probably guess that I became the number one public enemy in that group afterwards. Well I had a good intention, but the resulting situation was nothing but good. So remember that even though we are dying to tell our friend that the carcinogens in the bbq meat is clogging his arteries at that very moment and that he is in dangerous acidic sea waters, hold the tongue and think this – everyone has a different timing with all things. Your friend does not get it now does not mean he will not get it forever.
Rule No. 2: Thou shall keep your raw food/healthy lifestyle experiences to yourself until prompted to share
Let’s face this – in the KTV pub last week with my friends, nobody really want to hear how their beer is forming a belt of fat around their waist, or drying their skin out. Do they know about the harms of alcohol? Of course they do! I was once a hard core alcoholic, and I was the master of self-delusion. I’m not very keen on someone telling me that my glass of poison is killing me while I’m partying away.
Rule No. 3: Thou shall separate your friends/loved ones, from your diet
Some of my friends have been with me for more than 10 years, and there are very good reasons for that. I love them for their them, for what we’ve been through, I appreciate what they’ve taught me and the fact that we still have the fate to connect today. Regardless of their habits, habits can be very different, but they are still my friends yes. And I still love to sing, talk and hang out with them when appropriate.
What I eat and live as my lifestyle, is my choice. I have no right over another’s choices; I could perhaps choose to the extent of where, how long and with whom I wish to hang out, but the right does not extend over another person’s life. So even if a friend/loved one does not support or believe in whatever I’m doing, that does not mean he/she does not love me. It just means we are different, period. Can we still hang out and bond on our other common grounds? Definitely.
Rule No. 4: Thou shall see things as THEY ARE
Sounds simple? Not very when you apply it to daily life.
You see, my friends have called me “rabbit”, “monkey”, “hamster”, “horse” and also “goose” before. There was even one occasion when a good friend mischievously asked for “raw chicken wings” from a lounge waitress! At that time I took it badly; I felt hurt, isolated and lonely. And then later I realized that everything which my friends said, are simply THINGS WHICH THEY SAY. They are separate from what they think of me, separate from their intentions, and I don’t have to take that personally.
As long as there are humans, there will be things we say. Everyday, there will continue to be things said by friends, colleagues, family, the world etc. When you recognize them for what they are, you realize that they are not real, they do not exist! What exist is our interpretations of these words, and of course, our resulting reactions, words, beliefs and behavior.
Rule No. 5: Thou shall see beyond the surface and recognize intentions
It’s New Years’ Eve, and Grandma makes us a Braised Pigs Trotters with Seafood (which perhaps we used to love). What to do?
Besides telling Grandma that the stuff is laden with trans-fats, we can look one step further. Why is Grandma doing this? She loves me, and she wants to make me happy by making my fav dish.
Well, I can’t really tell you what to do in this one – everyone has different family settings. What I can assure you is that if you look beyond and seek out her kind intention below the surface, things will definitely be better than a downright rejection. Tell her you see her love, tell her you appreciate her actions, tell her you wanna hug her, and then hug her! Life is not too long to hug someone you love and say “I love you” as much as possible.
After all, remember one of the best things about eating living foods is to spread love for Earth and people? Why not start with our loved ones
© Copyright Linda Loo, Light Love Laughter