“Saying Grace”
Last week, a very close acquaintance of mine lost a family member. This was a fairly sudden and unexpected loss, which was a reminder to me of how often we take things for granted, such as, relationships, possessions, and even our food. Unfortunately, too often, it isn’t until these events occur that we become more mindful or reflective. While not all of us have experienced a recent loss of a loved one, there are certainly other events going on around us that may cause us pause (e.g. illnesses, political strife, rising costs of food and energy, etc.). I believe these pauses are an important time to say grace.
For many, “saying grace,” is usually associated with words that are formulated into prayers. However, whether you are religious or not, I think that involving our senses in the act of “saying grace” can have a meaningful impact on our lives, whether done along with words or not. I credit author Aubrey Marcus for introducing me to this concept.
The next time you sit down for a meal, before you take your first bite, I encourage you to involve all of your senses in a saying of grace. You can do this by placing food on a fork or spoon and looking at it closely. Really examine it. Take in the smells. Consider how it got to your plate. Where the food came from? How far back can you trace it? Our society has become increasingly disconnected from the source of our food. If you have no idea where your food came from, but somehow it found its way to your plate, I consider that a pretty amazing feat.
Also, think about the hands that grew that food, raised it, or prepared it. Think about the energy that was used to produce that food, either through sunlight or the other plants or animals that were consumed by your food. Finally, consider how eating the food will nourish your body and give you energy. I challenge you to then consider what you will do with the energy provided to your body by that food.
If this food has not lived up to the expectations you had for it, then forgive it, the hands that prepared it, or the place from which it came. I like to think that saying grace and eating in this way has the potential to lead to greater appreciation and awareness of all that we have. By conciously eating, truly savoring, we can also promote healthier relationship with food, through better portion control and less food waste. Its hard to waste that for which we are grateful.
