Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Old Habits Die Hard - but they Can Die

Yesterday I received some news that is wonderful, exciting, troubling, worrisome, amazing and frightening all at once.  I can't really speak about the news, just know that everyone is safe. 

Now, normally when I get news like this, both good and bad, I dwell and dwell and dwell and dwell on the bad, sad, frightening aspects and then lose all control.  The old Barbara would cry for hours and then go eat. Eat I say - eat everything she could find. Put stale butter on stale crackers. Perhaps gotten in the car and headed to the nearest drive thru.  I would sit and drown myself in a sea of food that only made me feel disgusting. 

Was this habit?  Punishment?  A cry for help?  Did I really think that perhaps some food fairy would come along wave a wand and whooooooosh - all problems would be gone.  This eating would lead to reflux, inability to sleep, and weight gain.  Then I would wake up in the morning and start the eating all over again.  Perhaps I can drown this bad news (always forgetting the positive news).  Maybe it will just be ok today, because I ate all that so-called comfort food.

Well this time - the food monster couldn't catch me.  I heard the news and yes I cried and cried.  Hey, you can't take crying away from a pisces.  Now that would just be wrong.  The contacts were still hard to get out that night - but instead of stale, greasy foods - I had some delicious celery soaked in vinegar, my favorite tea and another huge glass of water.  I went to sleep easily, because I felt physically well and I woke up this morning rested and ready to take on the tasks and ideals for the day.

I feel stronger today, I can accept the things I cannot change - and "I'm not letting them eat at me."I am thinking of the proactive things I can do to help and things that help me stay strong and committed to my own physical and spiritual health.    I was not beaten by food so I didn't wake up feeling as though nothing would ever be alright so I might as well stuff everything in the house down my throat.

I've been given a gift.  I've broken an old habit and I am better for it.  In that respect everyone around me will be better served.  I won't blame the stranger in the store or the neighbors loud music for my woes.  I will reach out to those I love and hold them in the best ways I can.

Old habits may rear up and bite me in the butt every now and then - but then again - I don't think this one will.  It's so much easier feeling physically well while taking on the joy and the sorrows of life.

Just a thought
Babs

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