Going Hungry at the Banquet

 Dear Reader,

Rosalind Russell, in the movie Auntie Mame, gave us a timeless phrase: “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death.” The image is striking: the table is spread, abundance surrounds us, and yet we often pass by the feast without tasting it.

This morning, as I looked at my calendar, I noticed two scheduled activities—yet missing were the things that bring joy and balance: fun, laughter, and exercise. These are not luxuries but vital for nourishing my soul.

Life is fleeting—“ephemeral.” To live well, I must approach each day with urgency and responsibility, savoring every moment. My recovery has taught me to take risks, embrace new possibilities, and cultivate activities that lead to a rich and rewarding life.

Suggestions for a Full Banquet of Living:

• Feed your mind: Read scripture, philosophy, literature, or recovery texts. Journal your thoughts. Create something—paint, write, or make music.
• Care for your body: Exercise, eat mindfully, and spend time outdoors. Simply move—don’t become a shut-in.
• Seek adventure: Travel near or far, and follow through with curiosity.
• Nurture relationships: Share meals, walks, or meaningful conversations with loved ones.
• Serve others: Volunteer in shelters, missions, or community projects. Mentor others in recovery, faith, or life lessons.
• Deepen your spirit: Pray, meditate, or spend time in quiet reflection.
• Practice gratitude: Keep a gratitude list or express thanks to others daily.

The key is balance—nourishing mind, body, spirit, and relationships so that life’s banquet is tasted in full. As Shakespeare wrote in Julius Caesar: “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”

This is a call to action. We cannot sit idly by waiting for fate to hand us meaning. We must step forward, take risks, and live gratefully. I try to do this every day—even when it is hard.

President John F. Kennedy put it well: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” Gratitude is not merely a sentiment—it is a way of life. Practiced daily, it changes our perspective and influences others. Even in the small, mundane tasks of life, gratitude brings lightheartedness and joy. Gratitude is contagious.

Of course, living fully comes with challenges. The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:13: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” My recovery is a testament to this truth.

And finally, there is something greater at the table than even our daily victories. Paul writes in Ephesians 3:17–19 of being “rooted and grounded in love” and “filled with all the fulness of God” through Christ’s abiding presence. This is not just eating at the banquet—it is being filled with the Bread of Life Himself.

The table is set. The feast is ready. Let us not go hungry when abundance is before us.

Amen