Rule No. 56 - Stop eating while still hungry and do not continue until you are satisfied.

Saint John Cassian, born 360, died 435, has a day named after him, Eastern feast day February 29. He was an ascetic, monk, theologian, and founder and first abbot of the famous abbey of Saint-Victor.

With no disrespect whatsoever, Saint John obviously didn't have a drop of Lebanese blood in him. This is a rule I would dearly love to live by, but I'm afraid that is impossible. We were taught, from the day we started eating, to finish what's on your plate. Our brains only tell us once we have eaten everything off our plates, that it is far too late, you were actually full about 20 mouthfuls ago. I am sure Saint John Cassian never over indulged in his whole life, but he obviously didn't have a family like mine that is only happy when you eating.

When people come over, we just want to feed them. Our Mom's aprons go on and within seconds there is a 7 course meal made up, and that's just for tea time. Okay, slight exaggeration, but we really do love to eat. They say the French have it down to an art, even wrote a book about it. They taste each thing they put in their mouth, appreciate it and then move on, small little baby portions. Bite size. Not us.

I understand that Saint John meant this with a deeper spiritual meaning and it was probably part of learning to fast and giving up so others can have, but I can only speak of my own understanding, which is completely literal and I ask forgiveness for that.

It would be great to stop eating while still hungry, but I don't think this rule is gonna work out for me. I'll give it a bash, but no promises.

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Chasing Noodles

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