Blog 1.4.2

The point two is for my second try to unload the mind this morning, the first attempt made it to about 10 minutes before I had to hustle out of the house and this one will be 15 minutes on the button.
Fuelled by the odd cup of coffee this morning (odd because I am progressively decreasing my consumption), I notice just what impact culture and environment have on behaviour... in no uncertain terms, habit or addiction.
As much as caffeine is chemically addictive, it is reinforced by many personal, sub-cultural and cultural factors, much like everything else.
My issue as I sit down to brain dump is that almost without thought I make my way to the coffee stand and ask for a fair trade coffee. Habit, addiction, one and the same.
I enjoy the smell, and taste. I enjoy the interaction with the the employee and I am comforted by the ability to sit and type and sip every now and again. If there is a muffin with no dairy I even indulge in that as part of my habit, enjoying the texture combo, along with the sugar I am sure, as wonderfully designed devices to encourage our addictions.
I find increasingly however, that I becoming more conscious as I get closer to the stand. Today I made the conscious decision to have the coffee, treat myself, despite my knowledge of the 'bad' in the choice. I am becoming increasingly conscious, confident, aware of my choices, the repercussions on all levels, but still I have the coffee.
I need to habit link. Find another enjoyable alternative to accompany this task. Enjoy the smells of the atmosphere, but bathe my cells in another broth.
My brain dumping is migrating towards helping my mind and body dump the practices that don't bode well for them by socially committing to my knowledge of the poorness of my choices.
Practice what you preach... moderation is nice to a point, but there are many things worth simply avoiding than moderating.
The question is, what is my choice, at what level do I want to function today and into tomorrow?
We know now that regular high intensity interval training cuts exercise time required for change in half or better. We know now that more greens, teas and less alcohols, meats processed carbs and caffeine equals a much healthier body. We know that fear and negative emotions drive action, but positives only allow for more conscious thought.
Harness the fear, temper it with the positive knowledge of your choices and move forward with good support to make it all the more effective. Link positive habits to other positives. Be they habits, people, environments or rubber bands, use your culture, or build a sub-culture from the above and beyond to succeed.
Be well. Think well... And do it intelligently.