A conversation between me and myself at 8:30pm this evening.
“I’m hungry”
“Ok, what would you like to eat?”
“Baked squash with butter, and cottage cheese.”
“Hey look, there is still a little birthday cake left, and I’m sure there is ice cream too. Do you want some of that instead?”
“No thanks, I just want squash and cottage cheese.”
“What? Are you sure? Are you Lily? What did you do with Lily, the sugar addict I know?”
“I’m still Lily, I just don’t want any cake or ice cream right now. My belly wants squash. And cottage cheese. And maybe a few cashews. Why is that so weird?”
“Well… If you don’t know what I’m referring to, it’s not even worth getting into it with you. Geez. And you didn’t even think about eating the cake yesterday even though it was on the counter all day long!”
“Yeah, ok, maybe I’m a little different from before. I’m not sure why. I think it’s just because there isn’t anything that I am not allowing myself to have, so therefore I can just listen and feel for what I want, and not be distracted by the no-nos beckoning to me. And I think I am just more committed to feeling good than I have been before. Not to looking good, or acting good, but to actually feeling good. And that means only putting things in my mouth that I want in my belly…or, you know what I mean.”
“That’s so cool. I’m excited to hear more about how that works out for you. Please keep sharing!”
“Thanks! I will. It’s really exciting for me too. I think it’s making a difference that I am owning it too, instead of denying that there’s an issue. I’ve been noticing what a difference naming things has been making. It’s showing up everywhere in my life – as soon as I am honest about something and tell it like it really is in that moment, it is able to shift. Sometimes even 180°. Life is so cool. And I’m really looking forward to enjoying my days without being run by my relationship with food and eating. There are so many other interesting things to think about and explore. Don’t get me wrong, thinking about and playing with food are still some of my absolute favorite things in the whole world, but they aren’t my only favorite things. I like cookbooks too. And gardens. And recipes. And photos of my lunch.”
“Those things all have to do with food.”
“Hmm. Well, I guess I do like food a lot. And I like it even better now that I can distinguish it from other things. Like, when I know that I am hungry for squash, not just for sleep or companionship. It’s so fun to live life being clear; what amazing joy and freedom is available now that food is food, and love is love again.”
My body speaks... 