One of the things I learned from the Dalai is that as humans, we tend to attach ourselves to things, and this negative attachment to worldly things disrupts us spiritually. These attachments can be seen by us as either negative or positive, but spiritually, they always cause the result of suffering.

For instance, when we have developed a strong positive attachment to a material item or person in our lives, we may see that object or person as 100 percent desirable. When we have developed a strong negative attachment to an object or person, we may see that object or person as 100 percent undesirable.

For instance, if we are getting tired of our old car, we begin to see it as purely negative. Everything about it is horrible. We don't like the way it looks, the way it sounds, the color, that old dent in the fender, etc. We fail to notice the fact that it's paid for and that it gets good gas mileage. Even if we think about the bright side, we will quickly discount it.

On the other hand, the car we want to buy becomes completely positive in our eyes. It's so shapely, the color is so bright, the engine runs so smoothly, I will look good driving this, etc. We easily disregard the high payments, the high gas mileage or the high cost of maintenance. Everything becomes secondary to getting the new car.

The truth is, no matter how much we may think something is good, it always comes with negatives, and this is tied to the impermanence of the material world. After we get rid of the old car and buy the new one, we will have trouble down the road. Ever heard of buyer's remorse? One day the car will be run down and we will go through the same cycle again.

I talk about attachment today because I easily recognize it again and again as I transition into a more healthy lifestyle.

First of all, I am attached to ice cream. When I get to thnking about it, it becomes all things wonderful. It's so sweet and creamy and gooey and nutty ... just a little bit will be OK. Ten minutes after I've devoured it, the remorse sets in.

I am also attached to being a couch potato. I'm so comfortable, I'll get to it later ... I can skip a workout today. The next morning, when I get on the scale, the remorse sets in again.

On the other side of the coin, I get positively attached to my weigh-in when I have lost a few pounds, but the next day when it goes back up again, I suffer.

Attachment also rears its ugly head in my social life. I'm single and don't know too many people in town, and sometimes I really think I need a girlfriend. I have a negative attachment to being single. At the Chinese buffet last night (that's right, I cracked) my fortune said, "Why pursue relationships when happiness is right beside you?" The seat next to me was empty, and even though it was just a fortune cookie, it made me think. Why can't I just live in the moment, and appreciate the fact that I'm single?

One thing I need to do is listen more to that "still, small voice inside."

You know the one I'm talking about. It's the one that encourages you to do the right thing. The one that whispers in your ear that you can't afford the payments; or to wait for the right person, who may never come along. The voice in your heart that comes from God.

If I could just listen to that voice more often, I'm sure I would suffer less, and make far fewer mistakes in my life.

I also believe God talks to me through others, and maybe even through fortune cookies from time to time. A friend suggested yesterday that I weigh myself only once a week, on the same day at the same time. Sound advice that I will follow. That way, I won't feel the remorse after an upward fluctuation.

I had a good week, and weighed in at 231 pounds this morning. I've lost a total of 13 pounds in six weeks, and hope to crack into the 220s next week.

I stuck to my guns and did both the Fit Trail and Zumba. I also bought a tape measure, and found out that my girth is 47 1/2 inches.

Of course, I'm still attached to my size-40 pants.

-- John Philleo is editor of the Times-Gazette. He can be reached at (931) 684-1200, ext. 218, or by e-mail at editor@t-g.com. This column is scheduled to print every Friday.