Fasting Commences 02/21/07

Matthew 6:1-6,16-21
Jesus said, "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

"So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

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I try to not advertise that I am fasting, a few co-workers know of it and ask their questions out of curiosity, other than that I will not profess my actions. I sometimes wonder whether or not I should write this journal of my affair with fasting, but I feel that I log my actions for my own reference later, as well as for the passing on of the knowledge of how to fast and how the experience is cleansing to the mind, spirit, and body. I want no acknowledgement or praise for my efforts, my reward is internal. So if you read this, remember that no praise is desired; just share in what I feel and use any useful information you glean for your betterment.

I have been contemplating how I feel, how I got back to the point I am at, and what I want to regain with my fast. Today I awoke with a happy heart; today is Ash Wednesday the seventh Wednesday before Easter.
I feel good today in the way that I am not experiencing feelings of hunger or deprivation. I guess I actually feel relieved that this day has come. I have been preparing for 3 weeks now, unfortunately some of my preparations have been to eat too much too often.
My focus has been found though and it is if my body has just sighed with the relief of knowing its time of healing has arrived. I have decided not to take body measurements and will only try to weigh myself once a week, in the effort to reduce the dwelling on weight loss. I want to keep myself healthy, to stay off of the prescription medications for blood pressure and triglycerides.
Last week I had to resort to my stash of blood pressure medication which I had not taken since August 2006. I noticed that I was experiencing regular headaches and tightness in my neck, and I feel sure it was directly related to my eating condition... The taking of half a pill per day put these feelings of pressure at bay, it was a tough decision but it was either start the fast abruptly or wait for my set date. I will comment later when I first notice relief in the fast, as I will not be on the medications from this day forward.

Today I flushed and enjoyed the mastercleanse lemonade as desired, and had an herbal tea before retiring for the evening.