I believe William Blake said once that every time you make a higher awareness it is proceeded by a fall. I fell several weeks ago. The organization that I had worked hard for 7 years terminated my employment without cause. Just like that…no warning or justification…just ‘thanks very much’…’here’s your severance package’. I know many people have gone through this same scenario some time in their life. When it happened I started to recollect my next door neighbor (love you Mrs. Koffler wherever you are) as a kid saying to me in a thick Jewish accent…’Michael…be a doctor or a lawyer when you grow up…they’re always working’. I can’t disagree with her advice but I recall seeing a study that these two professions actually have lower life expectancies when compared to most professions. These few weeks off so far will probably add a few years to my life expectancy (people have commented how much more relaxed I look lately…no argument there). I have been eating so O compliantly since being home which has contributed to my good demeanor even though out of work

I can honestly say that looking for a job today is a lot easier with the internet and all than it was 7 years ago. There are hundreds of Sales Manager positions to choose from. With the severance I got, I can afford to be selective and not take the first thing that comes across my desk. Even though out of work, I have kept to my routine of waking up at the same time every morning as I would if going to work. I sit at my desk in my home office the same time as if I am at work. I get up to make my green tea at 10:30 etc, etc. My job now is to find work but in my early 40’s I am torn at times as to what I want to do next career wise. They say it takes twice as long to find work if you are thinking of changing careers (more like recreating oneself)…usually 6 months. Side note here…If you’re trying to recreate yourself by being on the BTD diet don’t stop if you don’t see immediate results…give it time.

You usually get so much advice from friends and family that is becomes a little overwhelming at times. At the same time you’re caught in a struggle between your ego and you heart as to what you should or really want to do. Your ego on the one hand usually believes your are something you are not and usually promotes a lot of turmoil. Your heart, which is the source of your passion, is trying to push your ego aside trying to contribute some wisdom to get through all the noise that’s happening in your brain. I’m experiencing a bit of a battle of wills right now but the messages are coming in loud and clear.

It’s times like these we should all consider ‘sharpening the saw’ and presently I am sharpening two skills. One is typing…yes I am typing this the conventional way (with all my fingers, not just two) at a whopping 15 words a minute which is not bad after a week of daily typing exercises. I might want to write a book some day and my eyes are tired of looking up and down all the time. Seeing what you type as it appears on your screen in real time is quite liberating. The second skill I am brushing up on is my public speaking skills. I joined a local chapter of Toastmasters. Who knows, you might see me on the speaking circuit talking about the BTD to mass audiences some day.

If I were still eating like I was before the BTD, I would probably be really depressed at this point in my life. I would be swimming in a continuous brain fog of not knowing what to do (eating wheat will do that to you if you are an O)

Remember…when you experience any falls (eating too many avoids etc) while being on the diet…you will most likely be rewarded with a higher awareness as to what is going on inside you after you eat them…honor them…they are divine.