Change...

I've been thinking about taking artificial sweeteners out of my diet.  I've only been off meat for 6 days, but my mind says I feel better. My hope is that my body will follow.  It's that euphoria that happens when a drastic or major change takes place, and I want more of it.  You know, it's like the friend we all have who learns something new and they won't stop talking about it; or the new parent who suddenly knows everything about raising kids or....my favorite....the new Christian who can't stop...won't stop....talking about Jesus and how awesome he is.  You know....that "this feels good and I want more of it"....change.  Some forms of change are more difficult than others, but once you make the effort...There seems to be no going back or at the very least, things shift.
Have I been held back by meat or artificial sweeteners?  Will consistently taking them out of my diet make me a better version of myself? I say maybe....maybe not; my husband weighs in with an outright no (per our debate/discussion of the issue).  He says (and it's some truth to it) that what defiles the body is not what goes in but what come out. Perhaps... but I do believe the effort to change some things that could be keeping me from soaring are worth a try.  So it is with my faith...Changing some bad habits or outright sinful behavior can be difficult at best.  But, not putting forth the effort to shift the paradigm is a lot more damaging in the long run (so say I).  If I think about ALL the change that needs to or certainly could occur in my life, I get overwhelmed.  When I (with God's help) make changes that matter, bit by bit, I get encouraged.  Change is constant.  Thus, I want to effect positive change in my life and not be so affected by negative change always happening around me. 

EXPECT MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER THINK OR IMAGINE!