It’s
that time of year again-the official start of the “candy holidays,” kicked off
by Halloween. It can be sheer torture, facing the overwhelming displays of
treats now. This is especially the case for those of us struggling with food,
weight, and body image issues and disorders.
Indeed,
for a lot of us out there, it can trigger disordered eating patterns.
So,
what do we do? We can’t stop Halloween- and all “candy holidays” from coming. It’s
not an easy situation. But we can look for perspective and help, even
considering the temptations and issues we face, dealing with candy and
“trigger” situations.
“All things are lawful for me, but all things
are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
1 Corinthians 10:23
Candy,
by itself, is neither evil, nor good. It’s inanimate. It has no nutritional
value; and yes, it’s loaded with sugar, other preservatives and colors. The
“moderation” issue, therefore, comes into play. You and I will probably not die
or have the worst case scenario, (whatever we define that to be for our lives,
such as the notoriously dreaded “getting fat” fear) if we eat some candy, from
time to time, in our lives.
(And
I say that as a current survivor of both eating disorders and Breast
cancer).
We
would probably benefit from looking at eating candy as a choice; candy
has no nutritional value.
So,
according to 1 Corinthians, it is “lawful,” but does it “edify?”
The
constant staples in our lives need to be healthy choices: nutritious food,
balanced exercise, sleep, quality relationships, nurturing support and numerous
daily spiritual, emotional, and physiological practices. That applies to each
of us; it doesn’t require a cancer or eating disorder diagnosis to make that
point relevant. It is about an overall healthy lifestyle, not if we ate
some candy corn today.
Yes,
it’s challenging, facing the overwhelming flavors, colors, choices- and
emotional ties that Halloween candy can represent to us. But remember, there is
credence to a life that includes enjoyment.
Are
you and I taking time to enjoy our lives?
For
some of us out there, that may mean eating some candy today; for others, it may
mean choosing another option.
Regardless
of what you choose today, “to candy or not to candy,” it would probably do us
some good to look at candy with newer eyes today.
It’s
not your best friend or your worst enemy.
And
you and I are so much more valuable than its existence.
Copyright © 2022 by
Sheryle Cruse
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