Eating Chilies

As I was eating my rice tonight, I noticed a chili in the curry. I ate it and didn't taste a zing of heat one bit. I immediately eyed another one; "I guess they're not too bad!" I thought. So I bit. And I soon realized that not every chili is the same. Although I had heard to avoid the chilies, I decided to test it because nothing bad happened the first time. How many times do we do that? Others give us warnings, and rather than listening, we test the circumstances until a bad outcome occurs. This experience helped remind me of the little things we can do to purify our lives. My roommate Tina frequently questions those around her--out of love--about their decisions to download illegal music and take part in activities that they know are wrong but they continue to engage in. Thanks to the chilies burning in my belly, I will be extra perceptive of my own doings this week, examining which ones unintentionally or purposefully "test the heat."