10/09/2018
I encourage everyone to take some time today (just 5 minutes) to write down and acknowledge and credit yourself for how FAR you've come. Write a list of all the things you've accomplished in your years of living.
Too often we don't give ourselves credit and wait for others to, or craftily select only the things in our past that have gone wrong and create thoughts of blame and shame. But let me tell you- focusing my attention and congratulating myself for all that I HAVE done is as powerful experientially as drinking a cup of coffee or the high from a great workout. Here's what I re-discovered from writing this list:
I used to be a binge eater in college and thought I'd never overcome that obstacle in my life- and now, I'm no longer a binge eater and haven't acted upon that behavior in YEARS.
I no longer weight myself obsessively like I did in college, allowing a number on the scale to make or break my day, nor dictate whether I'm "healthy" and how I feel about my body. I'm more educated about my body than ever before.
I'm no longer obsessed with specific foods nor driven by anxious choices. I choose differently now.
I let go of 8 medications in 2012, switching from a medicated life to embracing a MEDITATED life- and still going strong. Thanks Ziva Meditation.
I used to be addicted to sugar and bread and now I'm not- I can say no without the struggle nor feeling restricted because I know WHY I don't choose those things, and it's more meaningful to me than ever before. It's what has sustained the change- knowing my "Why".
I now PERMIT myself to prioritize self care and get 8 hours of sleep per night, whereas before I only permitted myself 6 hours in college due to workaholic mindset that would always leave my poor immune system susceptible to every cold/bug that went around campus.
I understand my hormonal health and how much it impacts my choices mentally and physically on a daily basis. I have learned to work WITH that natural, awe-inspiring wisdom and not against it.
I have learned and continue to embrace the power of not feeding myself inflammatory foods nor inflammatory thoughts on a daily basis. And I reap the rewards. It's a daily practice I must commit to and not a destination.
I've PERMITTED myself on multiple occasions to make major shifts in my life when my soul was calling for it, even if others didn't agree or if my brain was trying to convince me out of fear that it wouldn't work so that I'd remain stuck in "safe mode"- I've leapt and the net always followed.
I've experienced the power of "AHA!" moments that made me lose literal physical weight and mental "weight" because I now understand more than ever the power that underlying/subconscious stress and anxiety can have on surface behavioral choices and physical illness.
I've gone against all odds and have lived 8 years in one of the most stress-ridden, environmentally toxic, workaholic cities in the country (if not the world) and successfully worked full-time as an actress AND a health coach (two professions that, by nature, are not easy to earn a living from).
I'm letting go of physical possessions willingly and minimizing my "things" and it feels physically and spiritually incredible- I'm "lightening the load".
I'm realigning myself with my values and what each choice in my life truly means to me- what works vs. what doesn't, embracing what does, and putting energy into optimizing my life. I celebrate who I am and what I stand for. I'm improving myself daily so that I can show up in this world with purpose and meaning, driving positive change with my energy and choices. I choose to live from my deepest values and deepest truth steering the wheel. When I choose against that, it never works.
Now- your turn. Give yourself the gift of acknowledging your own HUGE successes and watch your mind, body, and spirit feel like you just won the lottery. It works.
