Opportunity is missed by most people
because it is dressed in overalls
and looks like work.
~Thomas Edison
Embracing Gratitude: A Journey of Transformation
Imagine a picturesque South Florida morning in September—the sun painting the sky with gentle hues, the breeze carrying the scent of the ocean, and the tranquil sound of waves crashing on the shore. This was the setting for my profound encounter with gratitude today, as I leisurely strolled along the beach.
With each step, I couldn’t help but walk in awe of the sheer magnificence of the sea before me. It was a moment that made me reflect on the blessings that have continually flowed into my life.
But it wasn’t always this way.
There was a time when gratitude seemed like a distant dream.
I vividly recall a period when even walking was an arduous task for me. My inner thighs would chafe painfully because I carried nearly 100 pounds more than my body could comfortably bear.
While those days seem like a distant memory, the experience remains etched in my mind.
This reminiscence takes me back to the countless individuals I’ve met who are on their own journeys towards weight loss or recovering from eating disorders. For many of them, hope often feels out of reach. The path ahead appears too long, too daunting to traverse. Some even believe it’s an unattainable goal.
But it is attainable.
I stand as living proof, as do countless others who have embarked on the same health journey. They have reclaimed their lives from the clutches of food addiction and the torment of poor body image.
If you find yourself in a similar struggle, please know that you are not alone.
Ocean Paradise
There is hope, and there is help available. Reach out for guidance and support; it can make all the difference.
The very spot on the beach where I walked today holds a treasure trove of memories for me. I’ve been walking this same stretch of shoreline for nearly five decades, dating back to when I was just 13 years old.
It was during those early years that my preoccupation with food began, and I mistakenly believed it was a matter of lacking “willpower.”
However, the truth, which I discovered later in life, was far more profound. It had nothing to do with willpower and everything to do with a chemical imbalance. I did not know that my body couldn’t tolerate sugar, flour, and wheat. All I knew back then was insatiable cravings, a constant feeling of not being satisfied, and a complete lack of control over my eating habits plagued me.
Today, as the soft sand warmed my feet and the cool waves brushed against my ankles, I felt liberated. Liberated from the pain that once stemmed from consuming addictive foods. My mindset differs vastly from those tumultuous days.
I now practice active recovery from food addiction. I structure my day around three balanced meals at consistent times, with an optional half-meal if needed. No more, no less. My body functions at its optimal level, and I’ve banished all feelings of guilt and shame associated with food.
My weight has stabilized at a healthy level, and the rollercoaster of dieting is a thing of the past.
Instead, I’ve embraced a wholesome lifestyle. It involves activities like walking, biking, meditating, playing, praying, and nourishing my body with real, nutritious foods.
My focus has shifted towards maintaining spiritual balance.
Today was one of those rare, enchanting days you wish could be preserved in a bottle and savored forever. I am profoundly grateful for the beach, for the ability to walk without strain, and for the gift of a healthy body and mind.
Life, I can confidently say, is truly beautiful. I am brimming with gratitude.
Now, I invite you to ponder your own blessings. What are you grateful for? What changes do you aspire to make in your life? Can you envision the remarkable transformation that could occur when you become your best self? The journey towards gratitude and self-improvement is a path worth exploring, one step at a time.
Please share your thoughts—you are in good company. Simply scroll to the comments box below. I’d love to hear from you, what you have to say is important.
Thank you for being a part of the reading blog forum and spending time with me and my thoughts throughout these pages. I hope my words lit your excitement to become your best self for you. I look forward to sharing my newest book with you on how to release your obsession with your Phone. God bless you… and your journey through this life and all that awaits beyond…
To learn more about recovery from food addiction, eating disorders, weight issues, dieting, aging, money, and your phone, please check out my Release Your Obsession Series.
Stay tuned… you never know where my mind will wander…
The newest release: Release Your Obsession with Your Phone
