Cinnamon is a weakness. I can’t explain it, but if I see a cinnamon roll, my heart kind of skips a beat. Actually, that goes for all desserts. I have a major sweet tooth, and it’s a demon I’m trying to overcome.
Ask anyone close with me, and they’ll tell you how much I love vegetables and fruits. I just recently stopped being a vegetarian after two and a half years, and despite the fact that I now eat chicken again (health reasons – my system couldn’t handle that deprivation – but that’s another story for another day), I still eat raw and clean for the most part. I go through my day strong and healthy, but then comes the night. I sit on the couch and eat ice cream, or indulge in only the M&M’s of a bag of trail mix. It’s a dangerous cycle.
Temptation is cruel. I struggle with temptation every day, in many different facets of my life, and I am not proud to say that I give in far more often than I should. I present myself as a clean-eating individual, but then I go searching for a milk chocolate bar. I talk about how I love learning, but I procrastinate for hours on essays and assignments. I preach self-love, but I often mentally attack myself. So am I a hypocrite? Or am I just a human who gives in to certain temptations because it’s in my nature? Truthfully, I think it’s a little bit of both.
While it is human nature to fall prey to temptation, we cannot rely on this concept as an excuse for our actions. Our very biology provides the opportunity for conscious decision, and it’s a blessing in disguise. It holds us accountable for every action, but it also allows us to celebrate when we make the correct action. I’m not saying to be prideful if you don’t give into your temptations, but please don’t deprive yourself of the feeling of achievement. On the contrary, don’t beat yourself up about succumbing. I understand that sometimes you have to have that Reese’s Cup and it feels like there is nothing you can do about it. But I also understand how great it feels to push that feeling into the shadows and reach for strawberries or something else of more natural sugars. But remember, this is kind of a hypocrite typing, so I’m struggling and adapting just as much as you are.
I work every day on being kinder, being less judgemental, indulging in less gossip. I’m often tempted to point out the flaws in others. Fortunately, I’ve acknowledged this and I feel as though I’ve improved significantly. However, I’m still tirelessly working on it; I struggle to keep my mouth shut. Sometimes somebody will wrong me, and I will want so badly to give into that temptation of spewing hate at them. But why should I ruin somebody’s day just because they negatively affected mine? What would I gain from giving in to my impulses and presenting myself as a vengeful individual? This is a concept that I struggle with on almost a daily basis.
Temptation sucks. It really does. However, there is nothing as incredible as the empowerment that comes with making the conscious decision to make the right choice. I’m molding myself into being an individual who refuses to give in, and I challenge you to do the same. Be strong. Be assertive. Be powerful.