Empty Calories

You’ve heard it said that chips are empty calories.

Yes, indeed they are.

In fact, a brand new, full bag is actually completely empty.

I have never once opened a bag of chips, looking for fried potatoes.

I have gone into the bag looking for entertainment.

I have gone in hoping for satisfaction.

I have gone in when I was lonely, looking for a trusted friend.

I have gone in looking for love.

All I have done is to hurry up through that bag, looking and hoping, distracting. Transferring all that emptiness from the greasy foil into my expanding belly.

There has never been love in that bag.

No friends.

No connection.

No joy.

Just a belly full of regret, guilt and shame for my lack of control, gluttony and haste.

Food is a lousy proxy for anything our heart needs.

Food can not heal.
Food can not soothe.

Food can not satisfy the sad heart or the lonely soul.

A friend’s voice is warm.

A walk in the park is nourishing.

A good book is entertaining.

Soul food satisfies the soul.

Frito Lay has never satisfied anything.

At least not for me.