This week, my inspiration came from a conversation about peanuts.
To some, nowadays, many children are allergic to peanuts.
When I grew up, there was little mention of peanut allergies.
Stanford Medicine for Children’s Health describes the” Signs of a peanut allergy, and despite its name, the peanut isn’t a nut at all. It’s a legume. Legumes are plants that grow underground. The group includes beans, peas, and lentils.”
Today, you and I can witness the number of processed foods consumed.
I’m not a health nut (pun intended); however, I’m cautious of my foods.
I have made conscious choices before purchasing by reading the labels, particularly the sugar content, causing me to leave it on the shelf.
As many prepare for summer outings and barbeques, the temptation to overeat and break diets will happen.
Interestingly enough, I’m always curious as I watch or see how people stick to their eating roots.
Nowadays, there are so many diet fads to choose from regarding eating healthy.
I also believe there are consequences when we don’t stick to our roots and allow the temptation of other foods that we know are not good for us to consume in our everyday lives.
I mentioned that a conversation around peanuts inspired me, but I didn’t tell you why.
Growing up, my father would buy peanuts, place them in the oven and roast them.
Several years ago, I ate plenty of peanuts when I tested my discipline for 21 days on the Daniel Fast Diet.
The Daniel Fast was something that I learned from a fellow soldier who was also a Pastor who asked me to try it; which I did.
The Daniel Fast was for my spiritual reasons, as the founder intended, and a test of discipline by sticking to my roots as I did one year during Lent.
I also ate plenty of beans, which I grew up eating when you come from a family with so many mouths to feed.
Knowing they suit me, I often wonder why I strayed off course from peanuts and beans.
The short answer is I don’t have a large family, and I’m not the only one living in the house with me.
In 2014, when I attended Darden Business School for a course taught by James G. Clawson, I learned about Values, Assumptions, Beliefs, and Expectations (VABES). VABES are about the world, whether it is or should be.
The training opened up discussion on how our VABES affect our leadership and the leadership of others.
The course taught me to be more conscious of the values of others tied to their family roots as we uncovered various case studies and explored the three levels of leadership connected with our VABES.
https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/fundamentals-of-level/9781637420416/text/chapter78.xhtml
Depending on what specific part of the state you live in, your values are connected to your location and levels of human activity.
Visible Behavior, Conscious Thought, and VABES.
I know from living in New York that I will not find grits on the breakfast menu.
I also know that those with access to the coastal waters have greater access to fish, shrimp, and lobsters as their primary food.
Believe it or not, 39 years ago, I had not heard of a Shrimp Po Boy until I visited the Gulf Coast part of Mississippi, nor had I tasted Coffee with Chicory.
Only a few years ago, I experienced the taste of eating Boudin Balls, a Cajun thing in Louisiana.
Today, you and I have so many options for fast food in our midst.
Look around where you live or have been recently with new fast-food restaurants in your location.
For some, roots running deep is taboo.
Understanding the Phrase “Roots Run Deep” (youtube.com)
Finally, the roots of our faith are vast and have different meanings.
Roots of Our Faith | Resources | Moody Radio
Today, I ask you to consider how far off course you have strayed from your roots based on Values, Assumptions, Beliefs, and Expectations (VABES).
I challenge you to continue living your best life today as you think about how far you have come and where you are going.
This week, we celebrate the 4th of July rooted in various traditions.
It will be interesting to see what your roots have taught you!
McKinley, thanks for the invite back to my roots. After being gone 30 years from my root I am slowly getting back to what I was raised on. I try not to forget my roots are the reason I act and think the way I do today. I’m going back, back to the woods of Louisiana!!
Scott,
I appreciate the gestures and your genuine camaraderie for today’s blog. I’m aware that being absent from a specific location for 30 years is a big deal. I also know from experience that you haven’t forgotten your roots and what being raised in Louisiana means. Laissez le bon temps rouler!
McKinley
Wonderful! I love today’s blog. My VABEs affect my thinking and emotions and my thinking and emotions affect my behavior. The family I grew up in, where I grew up and all my life experiences contributed to the VABEs I hold dear. I truly do not think about them beause they are so much who I am. I have not strayed from my roots. Perhaps I have learned to be less loud,bossy, appreciate different food and drink. However, I remain very close to my roots.
Dr. Fox,
Greetings,
Thank you for sharing your comments today on staying true to your roots. Please continue to hold on to your VABEs and all the emotions associated with the life experiences.
McKinley
Some family of origin roots, beliefs, values, assumptions, and expectations are just too complex to serve as the basis of a healthy lifestyle. Likewise, not all leaders are created equal; it’s generally impossible to hang personalities outside the workplace. Nonetheless, God blesses in many ways! I, for one, am always delighted to hear about those who have had the best role models in their lives (it represents hope for future generations).
For me, I am forever grateful to my life experiences and the people who came along side me to set me straight and to offer guidance and perspectives (this is why I value respect and service to others). As a result, I want my VABEs to continue to evolve based on my life lessons; what I discover, explore, and what I must continue to adapt for my personal growth.
As for my Barrio roots…these provide me the strength and ability to choose, cope, recover, hustle, and reflect so I can do better (hallmarks of a Survivor:).
Thank you for allowing me to share!
Frances,
I always enjoy receiving your comments. You provided a great summation of your Barrio roots and how you want your VABEs to continue to evolve based on your life lessons. Have a great week ahead and continue to stick to your roots!
McKinley