How to Solve Intractable Problems -- I Hope!

Theme song: Dreams

Have you ever had a problem that seemed intractable and then, strangely, the problem resolved -- seemingly without effort?

The truth is you probably worked long and hard on it, without results, but you never gave up. And you always thought that somehow, some way, the problem would be solved.

I call this phenomenon a miracle.

That's right. Miracles aren't something that live outside of us. Miracles are a combination of time, effort, and -- yes -- grace.

Those who know me know that I am in the midst of a cleanse.

Cleanses are about an effort towards transformation -- which is why it's way better to call it a cleanse than to call it a diet.

Diets sound depressing, but cleansing can feel and be uplifting as you learn to care for yourself in new ways.

I'm all about rushing at life full bore -- not holding back because that would be boring and yield few tangible results.

I have found, for myself, that a life well-lived requires effort and risk. A willingness to occasionally fall flat on your face and the ability to get up grinning.

I started this cleanse for two basic reasons: My jeans felt too tight (which was not making me get up grinning!) and I wanted to learn about how social media marketing can work in real time (check out my Facebook page to see what I've been up to).

It's Day 14 -- the mid point -- of Coach Kendra Cannoy's 28 Days to Health -- which means that I've eaten three chocolate protein shakes today and will do that or similar for the foreseeable future. By that I mean the next three days.

Despite this (temporary) discomfort, it's exciting to think -- and the program promises -- that at the end of 28 Days I will be free of inflammation. Although I generally feel skeptical about this kind of thing (especially packaged foods), I have to admit that I'm less fatigued, am experiencing less joint pain, and (TMI) my, erm, digestion is better.

Twenty-eight days is kind of a long time. Four days with nothing but a liquid diet seems even longer.

What if it's actually true that at the end of this time, I will be free of inflammation? And what if, furthermore, I am able, because I have eliminated inflammatory foods, to finally figure out something that has been bothering me for quite some time: Why do I feel tired, why is my digestion problematic, why am I puffy, and why do I have joint pain?

That would be cleansing indeed. It is thrilling to think, too, that I, and the people who are supporting me in this cleanse, will have witnessed the miracle of transformation.

I don't want to dramatize, but change is hard. Trying new things can be scary.

I think of some persistent problems I have -- spiritual "inflammations" that quitting dairy can't quite address -- and I think the cleanse will come.

I don't know where. I don't know when. I don't know how. I just have to be brave and keep trying new approaches.

That's what cool about doing your best and letting God (sorry to use a four letter word) do the rest.