Off to a great start!

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

I just wanted to share with my friends here that I am off to a great start in the New Year. Some areas of my life are as tumultuous as ever right now, but in one area I've made progress.

I have been eating relatively well for the whole of 2008 so far. It was strange, like something just clicked inside of me. I haven't had a soda. I've been eating lots of fruit and veggies. I've cut back on the size of my meals.

I feel great about this change that's been a long time coming. I guess I finally got fed up of looking at my chubby self and at the same time realized that my amazing body deserves all the best. Today I had cravings for soda and a breakfast taco (look, it's like a tradition here!) but I had a banana, yogurt and orange juice instead. All the left over holiday treats at the office look more repulsive than delicious. And my boyfriend has said he will make whatever changes in his cooking that I ask to help me in my quest to be healthier! He does dinner most of the time so that will be a big help as well. It feels great that he is willing to help me out with this since he is a meat and potatoes and fried food kind of guy who despises all vegetables and who keeps telling me I look great just the way I am .

I just wanted to post this to encourage everyone who is on their first 30 day trial of the year to keep going and know that we are all rooting for each other. I wish you all success in whatever area your goals take you.

Let's make this year the best yet!

[Angela]

Yay for you, aspiring! Lots of loving green eating vibrations to you!

Wish me luck with being strong, supple, and grateful!

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Good luck to you. I always just assumed that is your natural state!

[Angela]

Lately I've been compromising those things, and giving a higher priority to other things. Putting my boss's well-being over my own, for instance. What a dummy. Pushing myself in ways that drain rather than vitalize. Enough of that.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Yes, enough. What's that old saying? You can't take care of anyone else unless you take care of yourself. Something along those lines.

Be good to yourself and everyone in your life will benefit.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

You can't take care of anyone else unless you take care of yourself.

Yeah -- you know, I've realized it's not my job to take care of anyone else. I'll support their efforts to take care of themselves, but that's as far as that goes.

[Ree]

Clarity: Kudos to you! I know you'll have every success in 2008, one day at a time of course

Angela, there's much wisdom in what you say about taking care of yourself first. As a reformed control freak, it was not easy for me to let go of my tendency to try to take care of everyone. Once I finally did, I felt lighter than air, as if I could just float through the sky What a relief!

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Ree

it was not easy for me to let go of my tendency to try to take care of everyone. Once I finally did, I felt lighter than air, as if I could just float through the sky What a relief!

I so get that, Ree! My first big lesson of 2008! You know, it's not even a matter of taking care of myself first -- really, it's my job to take care of myself, period. It's my job to create a space of freedom for others to take care of themselves, including my boss, my sweetheart, the people I coach, the people whose plights concern me. Me thinking I am supposed to take care of everybody does not create a space of freedom for anybody! Caring for is one thing I will accept with freedom, connection, and joy; care of is something I am hereby relinquishing dominion over.

Thanks, Aspiring, for paving the way for me to see that. I'm grateful to you! (also I care for you. )

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by Angela

I'll support their efforts to take care of themselves, but that's as far as that goes.

This is the key I think. Because if they really don't even want to take care of themselves (which seems to be when the urge to help them is at its strongest) then all the work you do is in vain anyway and only causes you to feel depleted. It actually doesn't do anything for them and serves to make you someone who is not so fun to be around (I am speaking about myself of course).

Ang, I care for you too .

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Thanks, Ree. One day at a time is kind of my mantra right now. Sometimes it's even one hour or one minute. Things are tough right now in a lot of ways and I am tired, but as Tolle says, anyone can handle the present moment, right?

[Rose of Cairo]

Aspiring, I'm sure you already do look great. Which doesn't mean that you can't look even more perfecter

Awesome that your boyfriend helps you. You have all my support! I wish you a complete success.

How are you doing? Is everything fine?

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Thanks for asking, Rose. I am doing well. Over the weekend I didn't eat so great because my bf's grandfather passed away and we have been going nonstop. I just ate whatever was around. But now I am back on track and I don't even feel too badly about having a couple of off days because I know that this is a long term commitment to better health. Last night I was cleaning since the house has been neglected due to recent issues and bf made me a nice dinner. I am renewing my commitment at each meal and trying to make each choice of what I put in my body the best possible one at that moment.

I also bought a jump rope to get some fun exercise at home.

[Rose of Cairo]

Oh dear, I feel very sorry for you that your bf's grandfather passed away. Aren't you having a too hard time? I send you lots of warmth and love

What you're doing for your health sounds great! Take care of yourself missy

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Thanks, Rose. I didn't really know his grandfather. There was a lot of issues with him in the family. I have seen that even though my bf wasn't exceptionally close to him, this loss is hitting him. It's shocked him a little. And this time I am giving him what he needs, space and time to be with his family. He is beginning to see why I have had such a hard time dealing with the loss of my grandmother who I was extremely close to as he goes through dealing with this. So we are learning together.

Btw, I haven't read your blog yet, but I wanted to wish you good luck on your raw trial.