Great News♠

I just got the most amazing news. I am a finalist in the California Health and Longevity Institute's contest for Project Transformation! I have an appointment for a three hour interview coming up next week, and I am so excited. My daughter helped me by video-ing me on her digital camera, and after a lot of fooling around trying to upload it onto the computer, I walked in a CD of the application video. I had to buffer my anticipation with the usual "well, I probably won't be chosen" but I really really want to be in on this incredible opportunity.
First of all, just to be in the beautiful surroundings of the CHLI, which is in the 4 seasons hotel in Westlake is simply inspiring. Everything is so beautiful and there has been so much attention to detail in everything that it is a pleasure to just wander into the lobby. The floors are exquisite and it only gets better from there. Looking out the expansive windows into the grounds is practically a religious experience (And of course it brings out the froggy in me). I have been seeing a nutritionist there and she is so smart and just a delight to work with. I am learning from her and even though I have not yet put all of her recommendations into operation, they come to me in the course of the day. In the morning, when I am in the park with my darling Lucy dog, I am thinking of new information that I need to use better in my choices.
I have had a book in my library for a while now, but I just picked it up to read a couple of days ago. It is kind of like doing a journal, but instead of writing daily, in involves reading a verse of the Tao every day, and the accompanying commentary. It is Wayne Dyer's "Change your thoughts, Change your life" and it is intended to be read one verse of the Tao, and it's accompanying commentary every day. I actually read the first one twice, I mean on two successive days. It had to do with paradoxical thinking. He suggests that wanting or trying, and allowing, are on a continuum, and to take note of where you are on that continuum at times. One of the examples he gives is wanting to go to sleep rather than going to sleep, or allowing yourself to sleep. It so happend that last night I was a bit sleepless, and I began to get that restless feeling that you get when you are wakeful. Then I thought of what I had read, and rather than trying to get to sleep, I allowed sleep to come. Wow. I fell asleep with none of the anxiety I can get when I am wakeful. No punching the pillow, or turning from side to side. A peacefulness came over me, unexpected and very welcome and slowly I drifted into sleep.
Now I am wondering if allowing oneself to eat healthfully and properly is different from trying to diet. I think that it is. There is a peacefulness to it that the very act of trying disallows. Today I was out at lunchtime doing some overdue errands, and I thought I would grab something at a drive-thru. Then I thought of where I am on the continuum of trying and allowing. When you try, it is possible to feel deprived when you disallow yourself that drive-thru meal. When you allow healthy eating to be a part of your day, then there is no deprivation involved.
I have to get on to the second verse. If ther first one was so illuminating, I can't wait to continue with the rest.
My interview appointment is Saturday March 6. The dress is business casual, and I simply can't wait. I will allow the universe to bring me what I really need, and I will do well with it. I really hope that the universe allows me to be a part of Project Transformation.