I’m sitting here a couple of days after Christmas at my brother and sister-in-law’s house. A gentle snow is falling. I have a hot cup of tea beside me. After I write this blog I’ll pack up my stuff and drive over to friends a couple of hours away. I’ve had a great visit with family and friends so far. I’m so lucky to live in a loving family. Even though I live in Florida and only see them a few times a year, when we’re together it’s great.
Food and overeating have not been issues. I’ve eaten a variety of really delicious food without pigging out. I’ve had a few too many sweets and carbs than I would normally consume but feel like I’ve balanced them out with exercise. I was in a hotel one day and hit the treadmill for a half an hour. On Christmas Eve my older nephew and I walked for almost two miles. Yesterday, I did Zumba. All in all, I’m pleased with my handling of my first major holiday with my new lifestyle.
Yesterday I had lunch with a good friend, one I haven’t seen in several years. She had weight loss surgery two months ago so that is something else that we have in common. She also understands OA and program so there are many concepts, approaches and thoughts that we share in our approach to recovery.
One of the things we touched on in our conversation was hope. She’s early in her journey and doing terrific with her weight loss. (You go, my friend!) I remember before surgery and even two months after, there were things that I dreamed would happen with weight loss but that I barely could bring myself to hope I’d see. Now, many of those things are common in my life. There are more ahead but I’m no longer afraid to hope. I believe, I know, that I can achieve them as I continue to lose weight and recover.
The rejuvenation of hope has been a phenomenal gift over the last year. I remember when I was so down and low before making the decision to have surgery. I had let myself get beaten down by my own disease and my overeating. As heavy as I was in body, I was heavier in spirit. Now I am so much lighter in body and soul.
I shared this with my friend because she is still a little in the cautious stage — wanting to hope and believe but still a little afraid to let herself. I understand this mindset. When one lives so long in one place emotionally and physically, shedding the fear is incredibly hard. Taking a leap of faith isn’t easy. It gets easier with each small step of improvement but it doesn’t happen overnight.
For today, as my holiday week begins to wind down, I’m celebrating the hope that has nested in my heart, perched in my soul. I continue to look ahead to all that I dream of and know I will achieve as my journey continues.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
Weighty Matters 
I might be backlogged on my blog reading, but you’ve always got me. 😉
Love “hearing” the hope sing in your voice.
Hope is vital.
Thank you for sharing yours with all of us.
Julie
Thanks for the “hope” Mary!