Thanksgiving and giving thanks

Thanksgiving has passed,

and I am grateful to be here, alive, and surrounded by kindred spirits in my life, who understand who I am, love me for all my strengths and weaknesses, and encourage me to seek what I want to do with my life. Who do not judge me, but celebrate me. I am grateful that I have three unique and spirited children who are prospering. And I am grateful for each and every day that I have with them. I am grateful for a boyfriend who adores me and understands me, and when he does not understand me, invests endless energy and patience in "figuring me out".

I am grateful that I ate and enjoyed our Thanksgiving feast guilt free. That I savored it and allowed myself the decadent experience of eating without shame. I prepared food for the ones I love and great care went into the preparation of the food. And for once, I too enjoyed the product instead of merely watching others eat and making my primary concern the intricate act of serving others.

I am grateful for my ability to recover, to weather the hard times, and to be here today, smiling, strong and happy.

Life is good-- Living-- is good.

honesty

Recovery means a lifetime commitment to honesty

the ability to honestly assess your habits, your strengths, your behaviors and the path you are on every single day.

ED is always at the back door. Honesty is the ONLY way to keep him out.

for those suffering still tonight

My heart still breaks for those who still suffer. The cycle is vicious. And the outside world stands stunned and unable to understand the trap that we live in. I am grateful to live on the other side. And escape is complicated. It takes many many steps to get to freedom. Changing so many perspectives, aspects of your environment, your lifestyle, your behaviors.

So sad when I hear news of those who suffer to great depths.

We are complicated, and we hurt with this. Sometimes we hurt to a great extent that it seems unbearable.

You have to believe in a better way, in a better life, NOT JUST in a life without the eating disorder, but in a life where you are stronger, more confident, more competent, and more powerful. I have found in my own life that it does exist. I truly wish for my friends out there that their paths will continue towards that better life as well.