I was fortunate to catch a sermon in which the Pastor related a story that, though his aim was towards Christian faith, can be applied to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

His sermon went as such: A little boy, who was fond of playing the piano, was taken to a concert hall by his father. Before the opening, the boy discovered the piano behind the stage and without fear, climbed onto the bench and started playing the only song he knew…chopsticks! It wasn’t long until the master pianist of the concert hall heard the music and came to the boy’s side to play along….turning the boy’s chopsticks into a beautiful advanced duet. The curtain rose and soon enough, the orchestra joined in. The boy continued, focused intently on playing his chopsticks. But now his once basic song was a gorgeous compilation of sounds…thrilling the audience. Simplicity into magnificence.

Playing chopsticks, or any chosen utensil for the matter, is the secret to diet success.  It is the act of making small and smart choices at each meal, and at sometimes each moment, that leads to long-term health.

For example, one’s daily composition may include:

1. Water with lemon upon rising

2. A salad for lunch and before dinner

3. Steamed vegetables and a sweet potato at night in place of other starchy sides

Easily played, these three notes can dramatically change one’s well-being.  Once you have mastered one or a few dietary changes, add to your medley.  Throw in no white-sugar or herbal tea instead of coffee. There may be a day in which you play all the wrong notes but just go back to what is simply achieved.  You are still creating music instead of the static sound of a bad diet!  And if you continue to practice and incorporate, you’ll be playing well effortlessly, while also composing a life of excellence.

In her book The Quantum Wellness Cleanse, Kathy Freston writes

Eating is foundational in another way: we engage in it at multiple times throughout our day, so that for many of us, it adds a rhythm and order to our lives.  If our eating is in sync with our values, then our lives have a shot of integrity repeatedly throughout the day.[149]

A well-chosen diet beautifully vibrates throughout our body and lives.  Your spirited tune will affect your family, friends, community, and beyond.   And it is this wave of power, from you to the majority, which is truly worthy of a standing ovation.