Nourishing the Temple Within
By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar
Our bodies are sacred temples, deserving of care, respect, and nourishment. But let's be real—sometimes we treat them like they're invincible, loading them up with whatever catches our eye, whether it’s food, thoughts, or behaviors. We often forget that what we consume isn't just limited to what goes in through our mouths, but also what we allow into our minds and souls. It’s all too easy to be swept away by the temptations of instant gratification, losing sight of what truly sustains us.
Alright, folks, gather 'round because let me tell you about last Friday! It started just like any other day—sun shining, birds chirping, the whole shebang. But then, around 1 p.m., my stomach decided to throw a surprise party, and spoiler alert: no one was invited. One minute I was living my best life and the next, I was curled up like a pretzel, gripping my belly and wondering if I should start a GoFundMe for my poor gastrointestinal system.
By the end of the night, there I was—splayed out on my bed, feeling like I’d just survived a wrestling match with a truck. Seriously, at that point, I was half-expecting someone to walk in and ask me if I’d just come back from the Hunger Games. And as if that wasn’t enough, I entered what I can only describe as a fast-tracked tour through the bathroom with a severe case of you know what. It was like my digestive system was auditioning for a role in an action movie.
Let me just say that life decided to hand me a combination of a plot twist and a comedy of errors that no one saw coming! But hey, after surviving the whirlwind of discomfort, I think I’ve learned a little something about nourishing the temple within. Note to self: next time you’re eyeing that questionable street taco, maybe stick with the salad instead!
That ordeal was more than just a humorous detour—it was a wake-up call about the importance of being mindful of what we consume. Not just physically, but also mentally and spiritually. Our lives are constantly filled with choices, each one a fork in the road. Are we choosing what nourishes us, or are we stuffing our metaphorical mouths with whatever seems appealing at the moment?
In the same way that my stomach reacted to that ill-advised meal, our spirits react to what we feed them. Whether it's the company we keep, the thoughts we entertain, or the habits we indulge in, they all shape the state of our inner sanctuary. We can’t expect to flourish when we’re filling ourselves with negativity, fear, and unhealthy patterns.
Just as I needed to recover from my impulsive eating choices, there’s a deeper lesson about the kind of nourishment our souls require. It’s a reminder that our spiritual well-being, much like our physical health, demands vigilance, care, and sometimes a hard reset when we've strayed off course. Just as we wouldn’t continue eating food that makes us ill, why would we continue habits, thoughts, or associations that harm our spirit?
In reflecting on that tumultuous day, it struck me that the Creator often sends us gentle (or not-so-gentle) reminders through our everyday experiences. The discomfort I felt in my body was a clear message about the need to pay closer attention to what I was putting into it. Similarly, the discomforts we feel in our lives—stress, anxiety, a sense of disconnect—often point to deeper spiritual imbalances. They are signals urging us to pause, reassess, and realign ourselves with what truly sustains us.
So here’s to listening to those signals, to treating our bodies and spirits as the sacred temples they are, and to being mindful stewards of the nourishment we provide them. Life has its share of plot twists, and not all of them are as harmless as a bad taco. But each twist is an opportunity, a nudge from the universe to be more intentional, to choose the salad over the street taco, metaphorically speaking, and to fill our lives with what truly brings us closer to the divine essence within.
To be continued.
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