Olive Oil for the Soul

One tablespoon of olive oil, three times a day. First thing in the morning, last thing before going to bed, and one between lunch and dinner. This has been my routine for the last week and the results have been remarkable. My belt is one notch tighter and my shoulder and ankle pain has all but disappeared. I feel more rested in the mornings and less hungry throughout the day. If you’d like to learn more about what kind of olive oil to use and why it works, you can check out this video by Ben Azadi, the author of Metabolic Freedom.

Over the last week, I noticed an interesting parallel between how olive oil affects the body and how silence affects the soul. Going to Adoration, a Catholic practice of spending time in silent prayer before the Eucharist, has also been part of my daily routine. Just as the olive oil has increased my physical satiety, I’m noticing that Adoration has also increased my spiritual satiety. I am content with smaller portions and have fewer cravings, and at the same time, ordinary actions like doing the dishes or watching my kids play are also more satisfying. I don’t feel the urge to put on a podcast or an audiobook. What’s in front of me is enough. (I discuss the psychological benefits of silence in the article, Let’s Get Bored!)

This week, I invite you to ask: 

On a scale of 1-7, how satisfied am I with my life? If it’s not a 7, what daily routine could I start today to experiment with silence? What would it take for me to commit to this routine for 10 days to see the effects? 

God bless,
Dan