squares of the cake slice to feed to each other. We posed again with our mouths open to
receive the cake. Ian knew in advance to ensure nary a crumb would touch even my lips.
I lifted my napkin to dab at my lips and surreptitiously deposited the cake into it.
That’s right. I never tasted a single bite of my magnificent wedding cake. And, no, this
wasn’t carrying a good thing too far. Would you ask an alcoholic to take just one sip of
his or her wedding champagne? Sugar was my alcohol. I was a sugar addict and I had
come too far to indulge on even such a momentous occasion. I thought of my daughters
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and the example I was setting for them. I thought of Ian and the woman he had fallen in
love with. I thought of all those with whom I had shared how Science of Mind was
providing me with the incentive to seek Divine assistance and to deepen my faith in
possibilities. Resisting the strong urge to taste what I had spent so much time selecting
for the enjoyment of our guests gave me a lifetime example to call forth on other one-of-
a-kind occasions.
Over the years, Ian and I have traveled extensively. In Vienna, I turned down its
renowned Sasher Torte; in France, I turned down everything from éclairs to mousse and
crème brûlée; and in Munchin, Germany, the famous kaiserschmarrn, a delectable
caramelized pancake with run-soaked raisins. I never felt deprived, because there were
many other gastronomical specialties to taste, including savory spinach and ricotta
croissants, which have no sugar.
Mother, bless her, was a wonderful cook. From the time I was a young teen and
beginning to care about how I looked and felt, she would say, “Just taste it, Carol.” And I
would, over and over again. Each time, I would kick myself for having so little self-
discipline. Each time, when Mother held out a spoonful of the dessert of the day, I would
think I was stronger, more in control. I could resist. But I would give in and give Mother
the response she needed for her efforts. Then I would be right back where I started. It
didn’t matter how many months of success I had achieved or how much self-satisfaction I
had with my ability to say no, without feeling regret or guilt. Subconsciously, I wanted to
give in. To test the boundaries.
I remember struggling for nine months and reaching my goal . . . the loss of forty
pounds. Then, I tried one teaspoon of regular Jell-O. ONE. The consequence? I regained
all forty pounds and a couple more for good measure. One little bite always led to a
second and a third, and before long, I wasn’t tasting. I was devouring. That serving and
many more after it.
Millions of people worldwide have the predilection for some substance that triggers an
addition detrimental to their health and too often to their ability to form and maintain
close relationship with family members or friends. Their primary ‘love’ is the sugar,
nicotine, alcohol, prescription or illegal drug, or even sex; each has the ability to create
comfort or to block out painful thoughts.
With Divine help, the same hand that picks it up can be the one to put it down. When
we come to know ourselves and our weakness and seek help through prayer, it is possible
to resist temptation and to avoid putting our self in situations that will set us up for
failure. It takes time and practice and patience. The building of a mental muscle, as it
were, can and will support and guide us until we succeed.
My mental muscle helped me plan what I would do with my piece of wedding cake,
after the ceremonial ‘feeding’ by Ian, with as much care as I had selected the cake’s
recipe and icing flower embellishment. I knew it would be difficult, but this time, I would
not give in to my curiosity about the texture or taste. I was on a sugar-free pathway that I
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