I went to my favorite Sushi restaurant the other day. I hadn't been in to eat since before the first of the year, before I made the choice to be Vegan, and not eat fish.

I was a little nervous... A friend of mine owns the restaurant, and I used to always get the special, or whatever he made me. My favorite part about going out to eat sushi is sitting at the bar, watching the chefs so artfully roll up little bitsize presents, taking my favorite chopsticks, maybe have some sake or a beer.... yep!

That was it! I missed the experince! It wasn't so much the fact that I went to eat fresh seafood, or was hungry for fish, it was the whole experience. That day I ended up ordering miso soup, a seaweed salad, and seared avocado with a sweet chili dipping sauce. I am still thinking about that avocado! I felt totally satisfied after the meal, and I used my chopsticks and sat at the bar, visited with friends.. had the experience...

I think there can sometimes be a certain fear that comes with change. The fear of not being able to do the things that once seemed so normal... the fear of not fitting in or offending someone because you choose to make different choices. These were some of the fears that I had when I walked in to that restaurant.

Be encouraged! Ask yourself, what are you really giving up? It may just be an attatchment to the way you feel about an old memory or experience. You may find you don't have to give up much at all.
Lisa