Do you eat when you are happy? Sad? Anxious? Stressed? Grieving? Depressed? Bored? When in the moment, trauma, bad news, and misfortune can be paralyzing. Many of us eat to soothe what ails us. While it's true that time heals old wounds, one is still required to take deliberative action toward healing. The events in our lives have only as much power over us as we give them. It starts with forgiving, not feeding, oneself.
Just a few days ago, a good friend of mine was contacted by some mutual acquaintances. We both had been hurt by them years ago. The mere mention of their names at one time would have sent me into a tailspin. There is nothing worse than being stuck in time. I now feel sorry for our former friends because of their choice to hold on rather than move on. There is great freedom in letting go. Each of us deserves to be happy. I felt so bad about our disagreement that I felt guilty when we parted ways. One day it clicked: "Why should I punish myself for someone else's mistakes?" And in that moment, I let it go.
Give yourself permission to be happy and healthy! Don't carry around someone else's burdens. When you experience life's twists and turns, commit to meeting problems head on. Fix it, forgive it, and get on with it! Then, go for a walk (smile!)
