Recovery Image: The Power Of The Past

The only power that the past possesses is the power that I choose to relinquish to it. 
MrsM

Spring Recovery Wreath

Choose recovery!

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Inspirational Recovery: I'll Rise

Now you may shoot me with your words
You may cut me with your eyes
and I'll rise
I'll rise...
Out of the shacks of 
history's shame
Up from a past rooted 
in pain
I'll rise...
Ben Harper


picsourcehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/ecstaticist/2281198348/

5 Ways to Create Balance Of Influence In Recovery

When you’re feeling defeated, down, or overwhelmed do you reach out to someone who has a way of making you feel worse, or making you feeling better?

Most of us reach out to the people who make us feel that, eventually, everything is going to be okay. We seek out the ones who put things into perspective and make us realize that we are stronger than we think, more capable than we give ourselves credit for, and more deserving than we feel.  We solicit support from those who are able to show us that all is not lost.

We do this because their attitude inspires our own.  Their support helps us to drag our current feelings, or situation, out of the dark and hold it up to a new light.  They show us a new perspective. They give us hope.

It's funny. Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people can change your whole outlook on life. The opposite is also true.

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Who we choose to surround ourselves with has an affect on us, as does what we surround ourselves with.

Though we find comfort in things that reassure us that we are not alone, we need to be sure that we create balance with resources that inspire us to take action, to believe in ourselves, and to move forward when we may least feel like it. Creating an inventory of positive, motivating, and encouraging influences is one way of doing just that and is vital to recovery. 

5 ways to create more positive influences in recovery:

1. Your inner and outer voice: What you think and what you say about yourself has a deep impact on your subconscious and on outcome. They can derail efforts or bolster them. The choice is yours.

Replace negativity with positivity. Repetitiveness is key. Positivity grows stronger the more you make it a part of your daily life, a part of yourself. It takes a conscious effort to replace the old voices of doubt, shame, and inadequacy but every time that you do you create possibility and hope. You forge a new path.

2. Ditch the negative support/encouragement: If it's an encouragement to continue what you're looking to change, or it triggers emotions and behaviors that are dangerous to your wellbeing, then it's not a healthy resource for recovery.  Take an honest account of what you’re surrounding yourself with and let go of what does not benefit you or your recovery. (see also: Is What You're Holding On To Holding You Back?)

3. Increase Positive Resources: Seek out both online and offline resources that are supportive, loving, and encouraging for you in your recovery. These can include, but are not limited to, recovery sites, online and offline mentoring, counseling, supportive family and friends, recovery books, support groups, affirmations... (see also: Finding Support)

4. Positivity Journal:  Journaling is an excellent tool for recovery.  Create a positivity journal. Each day write down what has inspired you and what you appreciate about yourself and your day (no matter how small).  Find a quote, affirmation, or song lyric to serve as the theme of the day and write it down. Repeat it to yourself throughout the day. Fill the journal with things that inspire you. Absolutely NO negativity is allowed in this journal.  NONE. Fill the pages with what makes you happy. Write in it EVERY day. Read it often. (see also: Self-Love Jar)

5. Meditate, Visualize, Self-Soothe:  These are great ways to distress, refocus, create feelings of calmness, and rejuvenate each day.  They are each a great way to bolster positivity and recovery. Give them a try. 

How to: 

Breathe and Visualize

Why You Should Add Meditation to Your Recovery Arsenal 

Self-Soothing Techniques 

Be patient with yourself. Allow for mistakes, let go of them, and move forward. You are capable and worthy of recovery. 

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picsource:http://www.flickr.com/photos/dailygrindphoto/3457358399/

Recovery Inspiration Image: Change

Take time for yourself each day to dream, to visualize, and to plan the life you want for yourself. Change is not built on wishes alone.
MrsM



imagesource:http://www.flickr.com/photos/james_sickmind/5448338716/in/photostream/

Recovery: To Do List

To Do List
1). let go of negativity
2). be kind to myself
3). believe in myself
4). forgive
5). nourish my body
6). feed my soul
7). move forward
8). reach out
9). create change
10). count my blessings

Recovery: Is What's Holding You Back Worth Holding On To?

Past experiences, and the emotions that accompany them, all serve a purpose. We learn by doing, observing, and by making mistakes. We file those lessons away for future reference and we draw upon them to help us navigate the present. There's nothing wrong with this process unless, that is, it becomes the most used (if not only) navigation tool we possess. We, and the world around us, are in constant change. Even the tiniest deviation from the circumstances in which we found ourselves previously will have an influence on the outcome today.

For an example, when you were a child you were taught that fire burns. It's dangerous. You were told not to touch it because it will hurt you. That lesson is still with you as an adult but now you know how to use fire to your advantage. You had to adjust the lesson of your past in order to use fire safely to light a candle, to cook, to warm yourself by.

But what if you only held on to the first lesson learned and didn't deviate from it over the years? How different would your life be?

When we don't update the lessons of our past, we hinder the progress of our present. We create a wall of fear and self-doubt. The past becomes a proverbial prison, holding us back from moving forward and living and enjoying our lives as we are meant to.

The same holds true for how we define ourselves. What happened in the past is not our permanent definition. It's not a gauge for what is possible in the present. Who we were then does not determine who we are now.

Do you hold yourself in constant accountability for the mistakes you made as a young child and allow them to decide who you are today? Of course not, because we understand that those mistakes were made because we didn't know any better, we were learning, and we had some growing up to do. Despite what we may think, this is true no matter what our age. We are constantly learning and growing along the way, even if we don't realize it. Because of this, it's nearly impossible to be who you used to be. There are just too many variables.

When self is constantly confined and defined by the past there is no forward movement, no progress.  Past lessons no longer serve the purpose they are intended to but, instead, hold us captive. This is why it is so important to examine what we're holding on to, to be sure that it's not holding us back from the life we are deserving of.

Letting go of what's holding you back takes self-examination, patience and forgiveness.

Ask yourself if what you're holding on to is:

• relevant in your life today
• outdated thoughts/beliefs
• positive and supportive
• keeping you from being yourself
• keeping you from moving foward
• detrimental to how you feel about yourself
• causing you anxiety, fear, shame, or guilt
• causing feelings of inadequacy
• making you feel undeserving of love, success, happiness,  or joy

If you find that your answers are mostly negative, it's time for some updating and clearing out.

It's okay to let go of those lessons that are no longer pertinent to the life you desire and deserve. Just because they served their purpose then, doesn't mean that they still do. No matter what the past holds, you are who you decide to be today. The life you desire for yourself is achieved one thought, one belief, one small change at a time. 




picsource:http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicolopaternoster/4603639412/

Eating Disorders Recovery: A Request For Help

In response to several emails and comments concerning recovery, I'd like to invite you to share your recovery experience here, on Weighing The Facts, so that others who are struggling can benefit.

There's so much to be gained from reading/hearing what others have been through and how they manage to survive the struggle, emotions, set backs, doubts, and fears that are so much a part of the journey. No matter what your story, there is a common connection and that connection is powerful and healing. You can make a difference, inspire others, and help reinforce the fact that recovery is indeed possible.

If you would like to help please send me an email at mrsmenopausal@yahoo.com. I plan on compiling all entries into one post.

Please submit only original work and include if you would like to remain anonymous, be credited by a pen name, or your real name.

I'm setting a deadline of February 20th so the post can be a part of Eating Disorders Awareness Month 2012.

I hope you'll participate.
Thank you,
MrsM


picsource:http://www.flickr.com/photos/vinaydeep/2742035426/in/photostream/