This is The Blog of Change

WITH SADNESS

I suspect most of you already know that Phil Werdell has passed on. Phil was a powerhouse of knowledge, wisdom, and support to the food addiction community. He was one of the first people to speak publicly about food as an addictive drug, and he worked tirelessly to heal others. Our community has lost one of its most powerful leaders, and he will be deeply missed.  He believed in me, supported me, and taught me a great deal. I will always be grateful for his presence in my practice and my life. And I will deeply miss him.

I did not realize when I wrote the last blog, that this was the week between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The first day of the new year and the Day of Atonement. A time to look at what is going on in our lives and what we really want in our lives.

And it is a change of seasons too; schools are reopening, colleges are beginning a new semester, and where are you? How is your life?

And Phil Werdell will be deeply missed by me. His death is a reminder that every day of our lives on earth is precious.

So, let’s not waste time. Let’s reach for what we really want.

What do you want and need to move your life in the direction you want it to go? And WHERE do you want it to go? Are you moving in that direction or do you need a change of course?

And soon we will come to the year end holidays, the celebrations. What will we celebrate this year?

Today I talked with five people who are planning to make changes in their lives. I was deeply moved by the breadth and intensity of their feelings. Some were good – a joy or an accomplishment. The others involved guilt, sorrow, fear, and anguish. And I noticed that the joy and accomplishment people had also honored me by sharing their negative feelings before they made the changes to give themselves the joy.

I suspect that all of us who are looking at changes are doing so because of the negative feelings; they prompt the change; if we listen to them, they can direct us in the changes we need to make.

Listen to your feelings. Hear their message. Find people you can trust to talk about your choices. Make your changes from a place of calm and focus, rather than fear and upheaval. Consult with people who have education and/or experience on the area. Invite your Higher Power to give you direction. Investigate. Judge. Plan. Then when you change direction, notice what is working and what is not. Change your course as you need to.

You must have heard me say, “If you aim at nothing, you will surely hit it!“ Now hear me say, “Keep your eyes on the prize!” Stay focused on the things you want to grow and change in your lives and do not give up!

And why should your dietitian be talking about this? Because the one behavior that will derail you from reaching your goals is addictive and abusive food use. It turns off the cells in your brain that make good decisions; it distracts you from focusing on your changes, and it makes you feel stuffed and powerless and angry; it keeps you from the life you want.

Focus on the life and the changes that you want to make, and call me if I can help you!

And while we are talking about changes, what would you like to hear about in these blogs? Abstinence? Food? Feelings? Support? Spirituality? What would you like me to write more about? Please comment and tell me how to help.

Blessings to you,

Theresa