What I am thankful for . . .

[Guest guest]

I started to write " today is going to be a new challenge for me since

starting Inside Out " and then, of course, I had to stop myself.

Today is going to be a NEW OPPORTUNITY for me since starting Inside

Out.

Party-like gatherings in the past have been horribly difficult. The

voices inside my head would literally scream at me the whole

time: " Is there going to be ENOUGH FOOD?!! " " Will you get your fair

share?!! " and (if I was in active weight loss/calorie tyrant

mode) " Is there going to be ENOUGH OF YOUR FOOD SO YOU CAN SURVIVE

THE DAY??!! " (as if somehow one day of not eating nothing but protein

and massive quantities of vegetables and grains would some how throw

me off entirely). I would always prepared for these times by bringing

food to the gathering in mass quantities and making sure it was

either (in my obese days) food I loved or (in my calorie tyrant days)

food I could eat.

Not today. Today, I will attend a gathering with a family I don't

know all that well. I don't know what will be served, I don't know

how many people will be there and if there will be " enough " to go

around (silly fear, but one I am seeking to end).

What I do know is that I will not starve. What I do know is I can try

a taste of lots of things and not sabotage what is becoming my

lifetime of natural slenderness. What I DO KNOW is that I should

focus on the company and the friends, not the food, and be grateful

that my friend invited me and my husband so we would have a " family "

today – as we won't be with my family for many other reasons (which

is an emotional trigger right now, but that for another day).

What I do know is that the voices are still there today, but that I

have tools to quiet them and that this is just 12 hours and I don't

have to let them scream at me the whole time.

What I do know is I took my dog for a walk this a.m. and saw how

beautiful the morning was and realized that no matter how much, how

little, how good or how bad the food is today – that tomorrow morning

the leaves on these lovely plants that line our walk path will still

be emerald green and burgundy and that the crisp air will still be

clear and fragrant and earthy.

What I do know is that I am loved by a wonderful husband who is

supporting me in my new endeavor to be a coach and for that I am

grateful.

And what I do know is that my " community " of friends goes from

Florida to New York to Canada and all the way to Tokyo!! How

wonderful is that!!!!

What I do know is today, I will be grateful for the opportunity to

grow!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Big hugs to Tracey, Sophie, Mel, Cat and

KJ -- our growing team of Inside Outers.

Ang