"I believe that what God has placed inside of me is superior to the mountains that stand in my way" --unknown
The above quote has got to be one of my favorites. However, for a while I think I only had a partial understanding of its meaning. I simply believed that God put ALL the strength I would need to overcome my trials inside of me from the beginning. But maybe that isn't entirely true...
Making the decision to admit myself into a treatment facility was a lot harder than I thought it would be. At first I was all about it, but as my admit date got closer and closer, I found myself feeling extreme amounts of guilt about receiving help. I think this was because I had always believed that God had already given me all the strength I need to overcome my trials, so relying on others to help me seemed so foolish. This was a thought I wrestled with even after I had been in treatment for a few weeks.
Now, looking back on everything, I have a completely different outlook. Do I believe that we can find all the strength we need in God? Yes. But here is something else I believe. I believe that God gives us strength in multiple ways, and one of those ways is through others. So next time you're feeling guilty about asking for or receiving help from others, you must catch yourself. Do NOT allow your guilt to turn away a helping hand, because essentially, that hand you're turning away is God's.
To go along with that, we should also remember that God is also using us as an instrument to help his other children who may be in need. So if you find yourself in a position to do so, don't hesitate to offer someone support they need.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Goals.
Dang.
Deciding what to write each day is going to be A LOT harder than I anticipated. And its not that I have nothing to say, its that I have SO much to say! There are so many helpful things that I want to share with all of you but I don't know where to start. But one thing I do know is that I want to keep these posts short, sweet, and to the point. But feel free to leave comments, ask questions, or request me to elaborate on something you want to know more about, because as much as this is supposed to be therapeutic and helpful for me to do, I really want it to be as helpful as possible for whoever might be reading this.
So today....I think I want to talk about.... Goals. Yep. that's the one.
The topic of goals may seem monotonous to some of you. Its something we learn about as children. Our teachers have us set goals for the school year, our parents encourage us to set goals about our future careers, our coaches help our teams to reach goals we have set for our season, and our church leaders remind us to set goals that will help us to live with God again. My point is, goals are nothing new to us. So why would I want to talk about them? I think this is because I personally had a new experience with goals when I started treatment.
I have always had goals in life.
Here's a small list:
1. Find a career that I am passionate about
2. Get married in the Temple
3. Have as many children as I can handle
4. Go to Africa! (I would love to do humanitarian stuff but...I also just really want to ride an elephant!)
5. Learn to play the piano
....and the list goes on.
I'm sure you all have a list like that for yourselves. And if you dont, you should make one! It really is important.
BUT!
I found something that I think might be a little more important than those types of goals (okay, maybe EQUALLY as important).
On my first morning in treatment, we all sat down before the day started to set goals. I soon learned that this would be something we would do EVERY morning. at first, I thought to myself,
"uh...my only goal right now is to recover and get the heck outta here"
But then I realized that we weren't setting the long term goals that I was used to. No, these were short term goals. And when I say short term, I mean really short term. These goals had to be attainable within a 24 hour period. We were also encouraged to share these goals to the group so that they could check in with you the next morning to see if you completed your goal. If you completed it, you usually got a round of applause, and if you didn't, you were given motivation to simply try again.
I have to say, I grew very fond of this daily goal setting and it is a routine I would like to keep for the rest of my life. Of course we all have these huge life goals that we are going after, but its the little goals that will get you there. So I guess that's what I want to challenge all of you guys to do. Set just one daily goal. And here are some guidelines that I found very helpful:
**don't just think about your goal, write it down! Really solidify it for yourself.
"Goals that are not written down are just wishes"-- Fitzhugh Dodson
**Really take some time to think about your goal. Make one that you know will be helpful for you that day and make it SPECIFIC. The specificity was always key for me. Rather than saying be productive, think of something you can actually do to be productive. Your goals can also be something to NOT do. Like DON'T text and drive (yes, I am ashamed to admit that this actually had to be one of my goals. But hey, I've been doing really good with it!).
**Sometimes your goal for the day may seem really simple but yet really needed to be put at the forefront of your mind in order for you to actually do it, like... Go to bed by 10:30.
**Find an accountability buddy. Someone that you will share this goal with and who can follow up with you to see how you did, and you can do the same for them.
This concept of daily goal setting may seem frivolous but it has made a HUGE difference in my life and I think it can for you too. And hey, maybe you figured all of this out long before I did, and if that's the case, keep it up!
.its all about the baby steps.
Deciding what to write each day is going to be A LOT harder than I anticipated. And its not that I have nothing to say, its that I have SO much to say! There are so many helpful things that I want to share with all of you but I don't know where to start. But one thing I do know is that I want to keep these posts short, sweet, and to the point. But feel free to leave comments, ask questions, or request me to elaborate on something you want to know more about, because as much as this is supposed to be therapeutic and helpful for me to do, I really want it to be as helpful as possible for whoever might be reading this.
So today....I think I want to talk about.... Goals. Yep. that's the one.
The topic of goals may seem monotonous to some of you. Its something we learn about as children. Our teachers have us set goals for the school year, our parents encourage us to set goals about our future careers, our coaches help our teams to reach goals we have set for our season, and our church leaders remind us to set goals that will help us to live with God again. My point is, goals are nothing new to us. So why would I want to talk about them? I think this is because I personally had a new experience with goals when I started treatment.
I have always had goals in life.
Here's a small list:
1. Find a career that I am passionate about
2. Get married in the Temple
3. Have as many children as I can handle
4. Go to Africa! (I would love to do humanitarian stuff but...I also just really want to ride an elephant!)
5. Learn to play the piano
....and the list goes on.
I'm sure you all have a list like that for yourselves. And if you dont, you should make one! It really is important.
BUT!
I found something that I think might be a little more important than those types of goals (okay, maybe EQUALLY as important).
On my first morning in treatment, we all sat down before the day started to set goals. I soon learned that this would be something we would do EVERY morning. at first, I thought to myself,
"uh...my only goal right now is to recover and get the heck outta here"
But then I realized that we weren't setting the long term goals that I was used to. No, these were short term goals. And when I say short term, I mean really short term. These goals had to be attainable within a 24 hour period. We were also encouraged to share these goals to the group so that they could check in with you the next morning to see if you completed your goal. If you completed it, you usually got a round of applause, and if you didn't, you were given motivation to simply try again.
I have to say, I grew very fond of this daily goal setting and it is a routine I would like to keep for the rest of my life. Of course we all have these huge life goals that we are going after, but its the little goals that will get you there. So I guess that's what I want to challenge all of you guys to do. Set just one daily goal. And here are some guidelines that I found very helpful:
**don't just think about your goal, write it down! Really solidify it for yourself.
"Goals that are not written down are just wishes"-- Fitzhugh Dodson
**Really take some time to think about your goal. Make one that you know will be helpful for you that day and make it SPECIFIC. The specificity was always key for me. Rather than saying be productive, think of something you can actually do to be productive. Your goals can also be something to NOT do. Like DON'T text and drive (yes, I am ashamed to admit that this actually had to be one of my goals. But hey, I've been doing really good with it!).
**Sometimes your goal for the day may seem really simple but yet really needed to be put at the forefront of your mind in order for you to actually do it, like... Go to bed by 10:30.
**Find an accountability buddy. Someone that you will share this goal with and who can follow up with you to see how you did, and you can do the same for them.
This concept of daily goal setting may seem frivolous but it has made a HUGE difference in my life and I think it can for you too. And hey, maybe you figured all of this out long before I did, and if that's the case, keep it up!
.its all about the baby steps.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
The Elephant in the room.
It took me a long while to decide that I was actually going to start blogging again.
I'll be honest, blogging gives me slight anxiety. And when I say slight, I mean MUCHO GRANDE (if you don't know Spanish, relax, neither do I, But I think it means something along the lines of big?)
So now that I've admitted to the uncomfortable feeling that I get when I think about blogging, I think it might be necessary to explain to you why it is that I'm doing it anyway.
First things first.
I'm going to expose the elephant in the room. And maybe you're thinking what elephant?? Which is not surprising because I'm very aware that this elephant blends in extremely well (with my African themed room and all) and most people aren't even aware that its there.
...I really do have an elephant in my room right now, which is why I was compelled to use that metaphor :)
Okay. I'll just get straight to the point.
I have been struggling with an eating disorder--or more specifically, bulimia, for the past 4..ish years of my life. And actually, let me rephrase that. I have been SUFFERING with bulimia. There. That more accurately describes my experience because it truly has felt like suffering rather than struggling. Struggling sounds much to mild for what it has been like.
Now, before you say anything, DONT SAY ANYTHING. Honestly. There is no need for any comments because my experience with peoples responses haven't been very good ones. But just some advice...if anyone ever tells you they have an eating disorder, do not, I repeat, DO NOT respond with anything close to the following:
"Really?? You don't Look like you have an eating disorder"
"Wow! I never would have guessed! You look so healthy!"
I could probably make the list longer, but I think you get the gist. My point is, comments like those are anything but helpful and truth is, to have an eating disorder does not mean you have to look emaciated. A person with bulimia can look average and sometimes even overweight. That doesn't mean that they aren't engaging in harmful behaviors multiple times a day. Another truth that people fail to recognize is that an eating disorder is more of a mental thing than it is a physical thing. Sure, it may affect your appearance quite a bit, but what its really destroying is your mentality (and your health).
Anyway, I am not telling you this very personal information because I'm seeking sympathy or attention in anyway, and no, I do not feel special or extraordinary for having an eating disorder, because unfortunately, what I'm dealing with is all too common. In fact the majority of people reading this have either suffered from an eating disorder themselves, or know someone close to them who has, so please don't misinterpret my intentions.
With that said, why don't I go ahead and tell you my intentions for this blog. That way there won't be any confusion.
1)
I have had the amazing privilege of spending the last few months living in a rehab facility for women and girls with eating disorders. I have since moved home but I still attend the day program there and I am still battling my eating disorder every day. Although it has been hell, I also see it as one of the biggest blessing in my life. And because I feel so blessed, I would feel selfish not to share what I'm learning in there with everyone I possibly can. If it were in my power, I would make everyone go and spend a few weeks in there whether or not they had an eating disorder, because the skills/tools we learn to use in there would benefit anyone. But since it's not feasible to send all of my loved ones to a place like that, I have committed to taking what I'm learning in there and passing it on in any way that I can. And what better way to do that then a blog??
2)
I have this overwhelming desire to help people. Maybe that's why I want to go into nursing. But while I wait for that dream career to come true, why not find other ways to help people. I believe I can help people by simply inspiring them. And the best part about inspiring people is that unlike nursing, I don't have to get accepted by a program to be able to practice it. I can be completely imperfect but still be able to inspire someone else. I believe that we can learn a lot through other peoples trials and shortcomings.
So I guess this blog is your invitation to come along on my personal journey to finding myself, and my hope is that maybe you'll be able to find parts of you along the way as well.
I'll be honest, blogging gives me slight anxiety. And when I say slight, I mean MUCHO GRANDE (if you don't know Spanish, relax, neither do I, But I think it means something along the lines of big?)
So now that I've admitted to the uncomfortable feeling that I get when I think about blogging, I think it might be necessary to explain to you why it is that I'm doing it anyway.
First things first.
I'm going to expose the elephant in the room. And maybe you're thinking what elephant?? Which is not surprising because I'm very aware that this elephant blends in extremely well (with my African themed room and all) and most people aren't even aware that its there.
Okay. I'll just get straight to the point.
I have been struggling with an eating disorder--or more specifically, bulimia, for the past 4..ish years of my life. And actually, let me rephrase that. I have been SUFFERING with bulimia. There. That more accurately describes my experience because it truly has felt like suffering rather than struggling. Struggling sounds much to mild for what it has been like.
Now, before you say anything, DONT SAY ANYTHING. Honestly. There is no need for any comments because my experience with peoples responses haven't been very good ones. But just some advice...if anyone ever tells you they have an eating disorder, do not, I repeat, DO NOT respond with anything close to the following:
"Really?? You don't Look like you have an eating disorder"
"Wow! I never would have guessed! You look so healthy!"
I could probably make the list longer, but I think you get the gist. My point is, comments like those are anything but helpful and truth is, to have an eating disorder does not mean you have to look emaciated. A person with bulimia can look average and sometimes even overweight. That doesn't mean that they aren't engaging in harmful behaviors multiple times a day. Another truth that people fail to recognize is that an eating disorder is more of a mental thing than it is a physical thing. Sure, it may affect your appearance quite a bit, but what its really destroying is your mentality (and your health).
Anyway, I am not telling you this very personal information because I'm seeking sympathy or attention in anyway, and no, I do not feel special or extraordinary for having an eating disorder, because unfortunately, what I'm dealing with is all too common. In fact the majority of people reading this have either suffered from an eating disorder themselves, or know someone close to them who has, so please don't misinterpret my intentions.
With that said, why don't I go ahead and tell you my intentions for this blog. That way there won't be any confusion.
1)
I have had the amazing privilege of spending the last few months living in a rehab facility for women and girls with eating disorders. I have since moved home but I still attend the day program there and I am still battling my eating disorder every day. Although it has been hell, I also see it as one of the biggest blessing in my life. And because I feel so blessed, I would feel selfish not to share what I'm learning in there with everyone I possibly can. If it were in my power, I would make everyone go and spend a few weeks in there whether or not they had an eating disorder, because the skills/tools we learn to use in there would benefit anyone. But since it's not feasible to send all of my loved ones to a place like that, I have committed to taking what I'm learning in there and passing it on in any way that I can. And what better way to do that then a blog??
2)
I have this overwhelming desire to help people. Maybe that's why I want to go into nursing. But while I wait for that dream career to come true, why not find other ways to help people. I believe I can help people by simply inspiring them. And the best part about inspiring people is that unlike nursing, I don't have to get accepted by a program to be able to practice it. I can be completely imperfect but still be able to inspire someone else. I believe that we can learn a lot through other peoples trials and shortcomings.
So I guess this blog is your invitation to come along on my personal journey to finding myself, and my hope is that maybe you'll be able to find parts of you along the way as well.
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