Sunday Musings - The Real Thing

I mentioned in a previous post that I had given up one of the true loves of my life as I pursue a healthier lifestyle. I created a layout about this love, a love that seems to have been with me most of my life. I don't remember a time before this love.

I created this layout using the Challenge #20 sketch at Sketches in Thyme. I printed my photo block as an 8 1/2" x 81/2" block using a red digital paper from Jessica Sprague. The Coca-Cola patch is from a trip to the Coca-Cola Museum in Vicksburg, Missisippi, back in 1997. Robbie had given me several extra Coca-Cola trading cards after he completed his set a few months ago, so I included one of those in my embellishment cluster also. The rest of the supplies I pulled from my stash: Bazille cardstock, decorative edge cardstock from Little Yellow Bicycle, rhinestone brads from My Mind's Eye, miscellaneous flowers and scraps.

I can't remember when I started drinking Coca-Cola, but it has been a constant in my life as long as I can remember. Even in the 80s when I was a pre-teen, I knew that the company was making a mistake with that New Coke formula! Not only is this my favorite drink, it is just about the only thing I drank for many years.

As I continue to make changes toward a more healthful lifestyle, I began looking seriously at that red can and wondering if the calories were worth it since it provides little (or no!) nutrients. I started noticing how often and why I drank a coke and discovered two primary motivations.

HABIT - I realized that I was simply drinking a coke out of habit. When I get in the car to go anywhere that will take longer than 20 minutes, I grab a coke. When I sit down to scrapbook, I grab a coke. When I watch a football game, I grab a coke. When I have meal, when I go out to eat, when I'm cooking, when I'm reading, etc. I was merely having a coke out of habit rather than truly enjoying the refreshing taste of the coke itself.

SOLACE - This is the reason I have decided to give up Coca-Cola for a while. I realized that when I became frustrated or irritated or sad or angry, I would reach for a coke. If something didn't go my way, I would reach for a coke. If someone hurt my feelings, I would reach for a coke. I was using that little red can full of sugar to console myself, to give me solace, to sooth my feelings. Wow - when I began to comprehend this, I was convicted to stop! I want to turn to the Lord (The Real Thing!) for consolation, for solace! So, for the past 20 days I have not had a Coca-Cola. I want to learn to turn to the Word and prayer when I need comfort, and until that becomes my new habit, I will continue to omit Coca-Cola from my day.

Honestly, I don't believe I'll ever give it up for good. It is my favorite drink and once I feel I have broken these unhealthy habits, I can enjoy a refreshing drink on occassion, not because I "need" it but because I want to take time to enjoy it.

How about you, is there something in your life that you turn to for solace?