Affecting Change

I feel as if I've been wading in molasses for the past few years. It has been difficult to make any changes in my life. Something always holds me back. I am ready now, however, to move forward. To help with this change I've signed up for a detoxification/weight loss program. It seems kind of silly to start with the physical part of me, but my hope is that if I can get the physical part of me healthy, I will at the same time affect change with the spiritual and emotional part of me.

So what changes am I interested in making? They are numerous, so be prepared!!

Physical: I want to lose weight, break my addictions to sugar and diet Coke, develop a regular exercise routine, and eat healthier foods. I want to slow the aging process and ensure that the last half of my life is rich and enjoyable by protecting my health as much as possible.

Spiritual: I want to focus more on others, desire to do good continually. I want to be closer to my Savior and my Father in Heaven. I want to be a good example to those around me and be at peace. I want the strength to be able to share the gospel, and I want to thirst after the words of Christ. I also want to feel a stronger sense of connection to my family and friends. I want my immediate family to be closely knit together.

Emotional: I want to feel things strongly, but I want to be strong enough to handle those strong feelings and emotions. I want to stop being ruled by my emotions. I want to be happy, but to be able to appreciate and handle the negative emotions that I will definitely feel on occasion. I want to unwrap the cocoon I've constructed around myself to protect my inner self from the buffets of emotion I've tried to avoid.

Tall order, huh? But change doesn't happen without momentum. So back to my story. I found a program that I felt would address more than one area. It starts with the body...ridding the body of toxins, taking off some of the extra, protective weight I've been carrying around. But there are other aspects to the program. One of my favorites is the focus on light and sound therapy and hypnosis. I am supposed to listen to a 20 minute hypnosis message each evening (although I've been a little lax). This week the message will focus on goal setting. I also get my first body wrap on Monday, which is my birthday. I am excited about that; I want to get my body back to it's healthiest size. I've abused my body over the past several years as I've dealt with bouts of depression. Now is the time for me to take my life in my own hands and carve out the life I would like to live.

I'm excited about all the changes. My hope is that at the end of this journey I will be ready to tackle the next set of challenges in store for me. Life is about growth and change, and I am so ready to get back in the game!