Don't Be Afraid to Eat Alone

Don't be afraid to eat alone. Literally and figuratively.

I was packing up to head back home and was thinking about what to eat for lunch. My first thought was maybe I'll just pick up Chick Fil A and get on my way as quickly as possible. But something made me reconsider and more importantly re-evaluate. I cleared my schedule today and therefore do not have any appointments, which means I am not technically in a rush to head back. Once I realized that, I was able to think clearly and make a healthier decision for my body. However, I had no idea this "feeling" was more than a desire to fuel my body.

I sat down at First Watch, at a table by myself, ordered my Morning Meditation juice, coffee, and protein quinoa bowl. I took out my book, started reading, and suddenly felt overcome by emotion. Not sure where that was coming from, I put the book down and allowed the moment to tell me where it was coming from. Then it was clear as day.

I thought about all the years my dad wasn't afraid to eat alone. How he would sit at tables just like this one as he traveled for work. He never complained, in fact he would often joke about heading back to his 4 walls (AKA his hotel room) after his dinner alone.

Then I felt his presence with me at that table, as if he was sitting across from me in what otherwise appeared to be an empty chair. I felt him reminding me never to be afraid to eat alone. Whether it's a restaurant or a figurative table of following my purpose on this planet.

Then more emotion.

Then a compelling urge to share in case someone else needed to hear this message ??