Fountain Pepsi and Goldfish Crackers. Pavlov was onto something when he discovered and researched the idea of conditional reflexes. I realized recently that whenever I eat Goldfish crackers (I keep a stash in my desk at work) I crave Pepsi. I trace it back to a couple years in high school of after school snacks of Better Cheddars and Pepsi with my sister, Lyndsey, while watching Days of Our Lives. Anyway, this new awareness of my conditioned craving led me to thinking about Ivan Pavlov with his research with dogs (though I agree I have grossly simplified his research and scientific intentions). All this thinking has made me aware of these reflexes randomly throughout the day. There are numerous menial responses all the way up to more serious ones, for instance, how I respond when I'm hurt by someone (or even predicting being hurt) by putting up walls with people. It makes me wonder where else I may respond this way. I want to live a life that is intentional and not conditional. I pray that God will make me aware of these responses and lead me to live an intentional life, each day. Though I do anticipate consuming the occasional fountain Pepsi and Goldfish cracker.
