I posted a recipe for persimmon pudding and someone misread it for permission pudding! An idea which everyone seems to be ga ga about. A big heaping bowl of yummy permission.

Q: Why are we all waiting for permission?

A: Permission comes from: per- "through" + mittere "let go, send." And letting go? Is sooooo hard.

What are we letting go of? For one thing, the idea that someone else needs to give us permission!

In fact when we want permission, whatever it is we want permission for, it is to change. Permits are given to marry, build, drive, travel. Change always requires a letting go of the old. Thus permission.

It's like we're in school waiting for the bathroom pass. What could be a more humiliating way to indoctrinate kids: you can't pee without permission. Peeing of course, is the most primal of way of letting go.

But some letting go is so subtle.

Sometimes we need permission to be mad. And let go of the idea that we are fine. Or sometimes we need permission to follow our dream, and let go of the idea that we might be disappointed. Or to lose weight. And let go of the idea that food is comfort. Etc.

If there is anything you are are waiting for permission for, so long as it hurts no one else unneccesarily (yes if you break up with the self destructive guy you're dating he will be hurt - you can't help that!) I give you permission.

If my blanket permission slip is not convincing and you need personal permitting, come visit me at The Comedian's Way Workshop or e-mail me: beth@bethlapides.com.

But you really don't need me. Go ahead and greenlight yourself. Put yourself on the fast track. Live your truth. Eat a big bowl of calorie free, health inducing, prana bringing permission pudding!

And here's a nice easy recipe for delicious, raw, healthy Persimmon Pudding:

4 persimmons
1 cup of water
3 dates
cinnamon

Blend it up and put it in the refrigerator. Yes, it's that easy. And it turns into a yummy pudding in about an hour.