It's all in your point of view

I was all prepared to blog about balance until I walked in to the Y and had a funny experience.  I was walking past the access desk where people scan their cards to get in here when the line was held up by this man.  He had three kids with him and one little girl was peeking over the counter at me and said rather loudly, "I'm six and a half", and I was focused on something else and didn't answer her quick enough.  She said it louder at me the second time, "I'm six and a half" so I quickly answered her, "Is that right, six and a half?  When will you be seven?" and she answered a little aggrevated at my limited knowledge "On my seventh birthday!"  Duh.  Well alrighty then.  So I shared this story with a fellow Y employee and she told me that her daughter, who is six, begged for a puppy and her Daddy said no, not until you are seven.  She said how about six and a half and her Daddy said no again.   She said how about 6 and 3 quarters and her Dad finally conceded and said "OK Heidi, when you're six and three quarters, you can have a puppy."  She ran upstairs and in a few minutes came shrieking down the stairs just screaming.  "Daddy, Daddy, I'm six and three quarters" she shouted just as serious as she could be with her little hand stretched out with three silver quarters in it.  It's all in your point of view! 

While these are really cute stories about kids, it's the same with we adults.  We all have a point of view.  In fact, I looked up the definition of "point of view" and found it quite interesting.  American Heritage Dictionary states the following:

   1. The place from which, or way in which, something is viewed or considered;

   2. a mental attitude, belief or opinion

Heidi had always heard age referenced with three quarters.  She had no idea that it meant length of time, not currency.  One of the things that is most important on this journey of lifestyle change is to be able to identify your viewpoint.  Most folks had no idea they were eating out of an emotional place or that their behavior was motivated by shame.  Again, point of view!  According to the definition above, changing your point of view would be changing your belief.  I had a pretty warped point of view when I first embarked on this journey and as I began to be able to identify the "racket" or warped viewpoints and I began to see a different and much healthier point of view emerging.  The truth is what illuminates the distortion.  Once I could see truth, it was much easier to see non-truth! 

Have a great weekend ladies!

Vacation Mania!

First, let me take a minute to thank KT for leading group on Tuesday.  I've heard nothing but praises from group members about KT's ability as a facilitator and it just continues to prove my point. . .you ARE the smartest people I know!!  Thank you KT for pinch hitting while I enjoyed Memorial Day with my family in Virginia, and thank you group for doing what you do best!  Also, this Tuesday will be the first day for the new therapist named Amy Barrett.  Please come and let her also see what you do best, which is connecting with yourself and sharing your own story!


Vacations can be one of the most challenging times for me on this journey of lifestyle change!  It seems that every time I cross the Mecklenburg County line, something happens to me internally.  What is that?? What is it that really happens inside that makes me feel like I have a license to eat whatever I want and however much of it I can pack in?!  I have spent more time than I want to admit pondering this phenomenon.  The one thing I know to be true, is that I am not alone in this.  Here are the questions I have pondered in great depth, and I would like to ask if you would be willing to chew on this with me by answering the following questions. (Pardoning the pun!)

         *Is it a barrier to lifestyle change or is it a reprieve from lifestyle change?

          *Why do I feel this way so strongly?

          *Could it possibly be coming from a healthy place or is that wishful thinking?

          *Can I eat whatever I like while on vacation and still maintain my journey of lifestyle change?

With summer upon us, it is time for some honest reflection.  Have a great weekend!