Thank you for this thoughtful post. Yes resisting temptations can be challenging and difficult. I like the way you connected this with your own experience in temptations with ritual for what your mother’s maid was going through.
In my faith there can sometimes be similar acts and in those moments I am deeply connected and also firm in the actions to honor what’s being presented before me.
Interestingly, in those moments I have no problem resisting temptation. I might need to reexamine that for myself. It could all be psychological.
Once again a tremendous, relatable article. Thank you Uma! 😁
As someone who absolutely loves chocolate, I truly understood your example. And after living in Italy, I also appreciate a good glass of wine every now and then. I'm now preparing to move to Saudi Arabia, where alcohol isn't permitted. Interestingly, every time I've been there, I never missed it. It felt completely natural because I was respecting the culture and religion of the country I was in. Reading your story made me realize that perhaps it's the same principle: when something bigger than the immediate desire matters to us, the temptation quietly loses its power. Thank you for such a thoughtful reflection.
That refusal stayed with you and redefined temptation and the ways in which temptations can be resisted. A learning curve indeed. Now, about my temptation for delious, creamy chocolates- I replaced with dark chocolates 🫣
What struck me most is that I don't think this story is ultimately about temptation. The woman didn't seem to be constantly fighting the desire to eat. Rather, something else had become more important. Her love, grief, and sense of duty gave the sweets a completely different meaning. Perhaps that is one of the most overlooked aspects of human behaviour. We often think self-control is a battle between willpower and desire. But sometimes desire simply loses its place because another value quietly becomes stronger.
In that sense, maybe the opposite of temptation is not discipline. It is meaning.
This was a powerful and heartbreaking story. The discipline and respect the housemaid showed after losing someone she loved deeply really stayed with me. It was painful to read that, even while working at a family gathering, she couldn't take part in the food or celebrations because her heart was still grieving.
I think that's the reality of loss. Even after the rituals are over, the mind doesn't recover overnight. A person's body may be present, but their heart is somewhere else. It's difficult to celebrate, smile, or even enjoy a meal when you're carrying that kind of pain.
Your story also made me think about how many poor people continue fighting through grief because life gives them no choice. They carry their sorrow while still working to survive. We often speak about equality, but stories like this remind us how differently people experience life, loss, and dignity.
Thank you for sharing such a real and honest story. I truly enjoyed reading it, and it gave me a lot to reflect on.
The maid's line hit me still, someone who had something worth grieving and that grief simply made the sweet irrelevant. You didn't moralize it, you just let her words do the work. That's the best kind of writing.
Just curious when she said that, did you feel more moved by her strength or quietly embarrassed by your own moment of giving in?
Very sweet. It's amazing how beautifully people follow these rituals which actually are designed to ease you into the loss. By resisting temptations she was compelled to think about her sister every time she resisted a temptation. This may have helped her grieve more fully.
Yes I have stayed away from sugar for years and now many junk foods rarely tempt me.
What a noble woman, your mother's maid. Her loyalty and love for her sister far outweighed the temptation to enjoy delicious food, and for that I greatly admire her.
Like you, I have a weakness for sweets. I tend to forget that overindulging will result in my being unable to sleep and, what's worse, a migraine headache. No matter. When faced with sweets, my reasonable mind takes a hike! It's best for me not to keep them in the house. 🏡 ☺️
Thank you for this thoughtful post. Yes resisting temptations can be challenging and difficult. I like the way you connected this with your own experience in temptations with ritual for what your mother’s maid was going through.
In my faith there can sometimes be similar acts and in those moments I am deeply connected and also firm in the actions to honor what’s being presented before me.
Interestingly, in those moments I have no problem resisting temptation. I might need to reexamine that for myself. It could all be psychological.
Once again a tremendous, relatable article. Thank you Uma! 😁
As someone who absolutely loves chocolate, I truly understood your example. And after living in Italy, I also appreciate a good glass of wine every now and then. I'm now preparing to move to Saudi Arabia, where alcohol isn't permitted. Interestingly, every time I've been there, I never missed it. It felt completely natural because I was respecting the culture and religion of the country I was in. Reading your story made me realize that perhaps it's the same principle: when something bigger than the immediate desire matters to us, the temptation quietly loses its power. Thank you for such a thoughtful reflection.
Hey Teresa
Beautiful comment 🩷
First and foremost have a happy stay in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦.
Best wishes 👍🥰🫶🤝
Desire and temptations take a back seat when we have something more relevant to look behind the same
Thanks once again
Your supposed means a lots to me
💜☮️💜☮️💜
Never go grocery shopping when you're hungry!
😂😂😂😂😂
Will follow this pancake sushi 😂😂😂
Agreed!!!!
True tat 😂
this is an entirely different way of thinking about things, so thoughtful and so important. Thank you for sharing it.
That refusal stayed with you and redefined temptation and the ways in which temptations can be resisted. A learning curve indeed. Now, about my temptation for delious, creamy chocolates- I replaced with dark chocolates 🫣
What struck me most is that I don't think this story is ultimately about temptation. The woman didn't seem to be constantly fighting the desire to eat. Rather, something else had become more important. Her love, grief, and sense of duty gave the sweets a completely different meaning. Perhaps that is one of the most overlooked aspects of human behaviour. We often think self-control is a battle between willpower and desire. But sometimes desire simply loses its place because another value quietly becomes stronger.
In that sense, maybe the opposite of temptation is not discipline. It is meaning.
Thanks sara for such a thoughtful reply.
I agree with your point totally .
Thanks dear 😍
💜☮️💜☮️
Thank you Uma 🌹
This was a powerful and heartbreaking story. The discipline and respect the housemaid showed after losing someone she loved deeply really stayed with me. It was painful to read that, even while working at a family gathering, she couldn't take part in the food or celebrations because her heart was still grieving.
I think that's the reality of loss. Even after the rituals are over, the mind doesn't recover overnight. A person's body may be present, but their heart is somewhere else. It's difficult to celebrate, smile, or even enjoy a meal when you're carrying that kind of pain.
Your story also made me think about how many poor people continue fighting through grief because life gives them no choice. They carry their sorrow while still working to survive. We often speak about equality, but stories like this remind us how differently people experience life, loss, and dignity.
Thank you for sharing such a real and honest story. I truly enjoyed reading it, and it gave me a lot to reflect on.
So well written
This is a lesson in love.
Another wonderful post of yours, Uma.
The maid's line hit me still, someone who had something worth grieving and that grief simply made the sweet irrelevant. You didn't moralize it, you just let her words do the work. That's the best kind of writing.
Just curious when she said that, did you feel more moved by her strength or quietly embarrassed by your own moment of giving in?
Hey DD
Thanks for reading and comment ok.
Glad to note that you liked this post .
Honestly , when I saw her refusing ,i was impressed by the will power within her.
Inspite of working the whole day she wasn’t tempted at all to taste the sweets even a bit of it .🙏🏿
Thanks DD
💜☮️💜
Very sweet. It's amazing how beautifully people follow these rituals which actually are designed to ease you into the loss. By resisting temptations she was compelled to think about her sister every time she resisted a temptation. This may have helped her grieve more fully.
Yes I have stayed away from sugar for years and now many junk foods rarely tempt me.
Hey Smita
Thanks for reading and commenting too.
Glad to note that this post resonated with you
Exactly. The resistance must have helped her grieve completely
Wow!!! Staying away from sugar 🙏🏿🤔🤔🤔
Amazing 🤩 Smita to note that you ar away from sugar for years
Great greater greatest 😂😂😂😂😂
As for me it is a humongous task to be away from sweets 😂
Kinks food doesn’t tempt me at all though
Thanks once again Smita
💜☮️💜☮️
Yes I actually enjoy experiencing different flavors that often get overpowered by sweetness in any sweet dish. Like the smell of milk etc
I am tempted to write an article like this. Very open and honest way of writing. Very good.
Hey thanks for such a nice comment Jayaram.
You can write like this 😃
Not a big thing for you , 😂😂😂
Thanks once again 🙏🏿
💜☮️
What a noble woman, your mother's maid. Her loyalty and love for her sister far outweighed the temptation to enjoy delicious food, and for that I greatly admire her.
Like you, I have a weakness for sweets. I tend to forget that overindulging will result in my being unable to sleep and, what's worse, a migraine headache. No matter. When faced with sweets, my reasonable mind takes a hike! It's best for me not to keep them in the house. 🏡 ☺️
I witnessed this recently and o was impressed totally.
Sweet treats are great indulgence for me without any doubt
O
I just hog chocolates not relish 😂😂😂
Thanks for reading Deanne dear 🩷
☮️💜☮️💜