I absolutely love this quote by Maya Angelou, but I’d like to add one more thing from my experience today: 4) Being in a fender bender.
The lady who backed into me was so apologetic and kept saying, “Thank you so much for not yelling at me!”
Wait a second. …..WHAT??!
You’re very welcome for not yelling at you, but I wasn’t even angry or upset! Why would I be? That’s why it’s called an ACCIDENT. …..and we’ve ALL been on the other end of the coin and would WE have liked being yelled at? No!
So I pose this question to you: When something unexpected happens that you didn’t have control over, what is your first initial gut reaction?
Anger? Frustration? Indignation? Fury?
Because what is lying under the surface says A LOT about the status of your soul.
Is it at rest, not to be easily rattled, or is it bubbling with dissatisfaction, ready to unleash against anything or anyone at the next opportunity?
9 times out of 10, were you really that angry at that person about that situation? Or are you willing to look deeper to see if your feelings are misplaced about some heart issues that have been lying dormant, not being tended to. #thetruthcanhurt
It’s amazing the peace we can have, amidst almost ANY situation, if we deal with the deeper issues our past, our brokenness, our hurts and our pain. Putting them into the light, bringing them up to the surface to be properly dealt with, seen and released.
Asking for God’s help to heal the cracks and mend the tears.
Finally letting our soul be free.
Seeing day-to-day situations as they SHOULD be, not blown out of proportion and misdirected. Turn the mirror on yourself and be brave enough to begin the healing. ♡
One step closer. One action and one day at a time. #justkeepswimming
That’s how you achieve your goal.
That’s how you cross the finish line.
That’s how you look back to be proud of how far you’ve come.
This applies in ALL areas: personal, business, health, financial, emotional, spiritual, relational etc.
But when it comes to your health (weight loss, habit creation, lifestyle change) THIS is the perspective you need to have.
One decision, one action, one step in the right direction, day by day–in the end landing you at your goal with so much progress and change that you CANNOT go back. It’s impossible.
You’re different.
You’re new.
You’ve changed–for the better.
Your hard-wiring has been reconfigured because you’ve put in the WORK.
You’ve been dedicated.
You’ve persevered.
You’ve made the tough choices–time and time again until they became commonplace.
You were COMMITTED.
And.you.WON.
Seeing their shifts and changes and wins right in front of my eyes. And it’s BEAUTIFUL and HUMBLING and INSPIRING all at the same time.
So it’s expanding.
I’M expanding.
My business and influence is expanding.
And God is leading the way.
And revitalization of their faith–leaving burdens, worries and baggage at the feet of Jesus to step into a NEW DAY filled with love, acceptance, and grace to fully embody who He created us to be.
Your sister in Christ,
~Dr. Melody
I found myself turning to food to comfort me in my time of anxiety and worry. But I knew that wasn’t the answer.
Have you ever been there? I’ve been finding myself there a few times lately, but I’m so glad I’m starting to become more aware of it so I can recognize it and divert to a different (non-food) method of dealing with it.
And I must admit. I’m not always 100% successful. But I’m getting there. And awareness and naming the emotions underlying those feelings is key.
Here’s a few tips next time you find yourself in the “comfort food” struggle, when you know you’re not actually hungry, it’s something deeper.
- Identify the triggering situation or circumstance at the root of the cause.
- Name the exact feelings underlying that desire to eat, when you know you’re not hungry, or you know food is not the solution.
- Journal your heart out. In times of great internal debate and unrest, one of the best things you can do is journal and pray. But journaling can be a form of prayer if you choose to write out what you’re feeling in a letter to God.
- List alternative non-food ways you can deal with the situation and why you’re having those feelings in the first place. (hint: exercise is a GREAT option.)
- Spend time in prayer giving those burdens, concerns, worries, uneasiness and anxieties (and anything else you need to) over to God. Share with him why you’re concerned and have been holding onto these feelings, and give them to God and ask for his help to solve the problem and/or to fill you wiht his peace that passes all understanding so you may liberate your mind from the things that are weighing you down.
- And lastly, write an action plan for how you will deal with the same scenario if/when it happens again and what non-food actions you will take to begin creating new default responses that don’t add to your waistline and guilt, disappointment or shame, and instead are healthier ways to deal with the stresses in life.
>>Final Thought: We know that food is not the answer when we’re eating to fill a different void that we don’t want to acknowledge. But the freedom from this detrimental pattern is in the acknowledgement. Next time you’re tempted to soothe your soul with sweets or salty treats when you KNOW you’re not hungry, work your way through these 6 steps and ultimately turn your situation over to God. He is waiting for you to lay it at his feet and give you relief.
Your sister in Christ,
~Dr. Melody
P.S. I’ve found it supremely therapeutic and helpful when I’m working on my own health and weight goals to surround myself with other girlfriends doing the same, who can relate and not place blame or shame when they hear of my not-so-perfect choices sometimes. Being able to be candid, supportive, honest and vulnerable is so healing and therapeutic to keep the momentum and drive toward your goals alive.
Starting Aug. 1st is the next 30 day interval of my #vip30 challenge in my private VIP ladies group. Together we’re changing our lives, habits and dress sizes one day at a time. If you know you need to be with a supportive and driven environment to spur you on to your own weight loss goals, this is just the place to be. Learn more here and join us before Aug. 1st!
