The Ice Cream Stomach (when life feels too full)
Yesterday I had to go to Primo Tapia for a few errands and it was late enough in the day that my favorite taco stand was open. So, without even thinking about it, I sat down and ordered two carne asada tacos - con todo - and my favorite agua fresca - guyaba. My taste buds were already anticipating.
I have to go to Primo Tapia pretty much weekly - to get gas, to buy dog food, to get pesos out of the ATM at Calimax. I’m almost never late in the day enough to have tacos, so it had felt like a treat.
The tacos came and I dove in. But, something strange happened. After eating just one I had the distinct feeling, “I’m full.”
You can’t be full, my self said to my self. You’ve only eaten one taco! But the reality is, I was full. Crazy, but true. So, a bit sheepishly, I stood up and asked to get my second taco wrapped in foil to go. The taco people know me, so they were a bit surprised too.
Ni modo, what could I do? I was full.
So, I pulled out from the taco stand and continued on my way.
My other guilty pleasure, on my trips to Primo Tapia, is to stop at the Thrifty Ice Cream and get a ‘mini thrifty on a sugar cone - mint chip.’
As I was driving I thought, do I stop for ice cream? I was too full to finish my taco.
But, before even finishing the question I already knew the answer - there is always room for ice cream! Ice cream just slips in through the cracks. When I was a kid I suggested that I had a separate ice cream stomach that no matter the condition of my real stomach, was always available when it came time for dessert.
So, I stopped, pulled in front of the Thrifty, and got my ice cream. Sure enough, there was plenty of room.
It’s funny, isn’t it? We can be too full for one more taco (they are delicious tacos, I love them!) but still have room for ice cream.
I think it is true with life too - even when things are good, when we are enjoying what we are doing, sometimes it can just feel ‘too full.’ Too much.
We need a break. We need, well, we need some ice cream to just slide down the cracks.
Tomorrow, we begin The Return. It’s a 5-week, self-guided space designed to help you clear away the “too much,” reclaim your energy, and find exactly what brings you that light, easy relief.
If your system is feeling full and you want to walk through these practices with me, you can find more info here.
Either way, I hope you find a little room for dessert today!
