Thursday, August 13, 2009

What Do You Really Want?


 

This is a question that I come back to, time and time and time again.

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about ice cream, particularly anything from Dairy Queen with hot fudge on it. 

The last time I remember being at Dairy Queen was about 20 years ago with a couple of friends, when we used DQ as a reward for being successful on our diet.

The menu item of choice for me, 20 years ago, was a Peanut Buster Parfait, and I remember purchasing it, eating it, and really, really enjoying it.

So last week, I asked myself, “What do you really, really want?”  I had been planning on going for a long run in the evening, but the temperature and humidity never dropped enough for me to feel safe (I’m not a big fan of heat stroke), and so instead of my long run, I decided to do some research into Dairy Queen, Peanut Buster Parfaits, chocolate, ice cream, pleasure, and my desires.

At 7 pm in the evening, the time I had originally planned to run 8 miles, I instead headed out the door to my local Dairy Queen.  I walked in, confirmed with young man at the register that DQ does, in fact, still make Peanut Buster Parfaits.  

I ordered one, and began to eat it. 

And as I was eating it, I also analyzed it--and my response to it.  Was it as good as I remembered?  Did I like the chocolate?  Were the peanuts fresh and salty?  Was the ice cream delicious and satisfying?  

And about three bites into it, I made some important discoveries into what brings me pleasure.  First and foremost, I discovered that I like really excellent chocolate.  Dark, musky, deep chocolate.  And lots and lots of it.  While the DQ hot fudge was delicious, it wasn’t quite what I had in mind--nor was there enough of it to suit me.  And while the peanuts added a certain crunchy goodness to the confection, I discovered that I would have preferred saltier, “roastier” (I know it’s not a word!) nuts.  And while contemplating the ice cream, and I realized that, while soft serve certainly does have its fine points, what I really like is hard, cold ice cream with a high fat content!   

My little research trip to Dairy Queen a few days ago taught me a few things about loving myself and my body.  It taught me that my tastes have changed over the decades.  It taught me that I still love ice cream but prefer a different kind.  It taught me that I still adore chocolate but require darker, richer fudge.  It taught me that I like really salty, deeply roasted peanuts.  And it taught me that I like lots and lots of fat in my ice cream.

If you were going to do a little research into what makes you happy, what you really want, and what brings you pleasure, what would you research?  I’d love to hear yourresults!

E-mail me at nannerl123@yahoo.com.

Up Next:  The Power of Visualization 

 

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Lincoln, NE
Kristin Heslop, DMA, has gained and lost over a thousand pounds throughout her life. A musician by trade and training, Dr. Heslop attended Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. She holds a Master of Music degree from Wichita State University, and a doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Heslop has taught at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Concordia University, Union College, Wichita State University, and Enterprise Academy. She has performed on the flute, piano, harpsichord, and organ throughout the Midwest. In addition to music she derives great pleasure from political and environmental activism, creating visual art, and hearing her cat Lukas purr.