Editorial Of Sorts-What Is Support?

The whole issue of Olivia Cohen and her fasting methods seem to be a chief subject around here right now. What worries me is that we are focusing on one person, and not spending enough time really educating people, especially newcomers about how to fat safely.

ChrisB and mouseclick, among others, have provided excellent sources to learn about how to fast safely and properly. When this forum was new it really was meant to present water only fasting as a healing modality as opposed to a way to drop weight quickly, or reach some spiritual high. Of course, we all know that weight will be lost during a fast, although there are never any cut and dries guarantees on how much how fast. We also know that fasting plays an important part in many great religions. My own pastor encourages one day a week fasts.

What worries me about many of the posts I read here is that quite a few people are looking at fasting as some sort of Marathon event, the longer, the better. The best way to view fasting is as a tool that helps one reach his goal. Longer is not always better, sometimes it is not the best choice at all. Safe fasting usually takes some preparation. It is much better to make a conscious effort to fast for a shorter period of time and succeed than to plan for forty days, quit and eat everything in sight while feeling like a failure-this happens a lot, it has happened to me.

Each of us needs to make our fasts our own. There is no competition here. Three good days properly broken then followed up with good nutrition and further fasting will prove more beneficial than one long fast with occasional cheating, unwise re-feeding and going back to old habits. We also need to remember that fasting affects the whole being-body, mind and spirit. The spirit may be willing, but if the flesh is weak or emotions overpower good sense, then it may not be the time to fast.

Please be educated and responsible when you attempt to fast. Do not expect miracles right away, usually they take time. Remember illness and overweight did not occur overnight and the problems will not be solved overnight. One does not have to starve to find God, He is there for those who seek Him. God does not dwell in the fast, but rather it is the putting away fleshly things that make us more aware of God's presence.

Finally, Olivia has made her choices. Like many here I believe they are very foolish, dangerous and probably life threatening choices. While we need to treat her with respect and do our best to support her as a person; none of us should encourage her actions or applaud what she is doing. Fasting is serious, it can bring amazing results or permanent damage. Done correctly it is safe, done wrong it can be dangerous. Olivia has gone way beyond wrong. Please do not use her as a role model, but do not condemn her to the point she is made to feel unwanted.

Please folks, be wise, be educated and be careful.~hopinso Tweet