Confession is good for the soul...

Jackie, sweetie, I hope you didn't mind my using us as an example.  I just think we are a good success story.  I value your friendship & support very much. I love you too!!

Ok....so you are normal - YEAH!!!!!! You know, many come into this surgery thinking that they will never have to worry about their weight again.  That all of their problems will be fixed.  But, it is so not true.  In some cases we create more problems. I love your confession as it is a reminder to all of us that this surgery is only a tool and that we must commit to work it every day.  It's easy to become complacent and think that it will just resolve itself. I stand and applaud at your honesty.  It takes a brave person to come out and confess their sins.  And you did it.  Now....what can I do to help you get back on track???? We are in this together.............. (((hugs)))

 

Jilly-dilly, thanks so much for your support.  You are soooo right...this surgery is NOT a fix-all, but merely a tool.  Everything we do has a series of steps to go through.  Like a hammer is a tool.  Just because you have a hammer doesn't mean you'll wake up one day & discover a bookshelf suddenly appears.  You have to do the research on how to build the shelf, what type of wood to use, what kind of nails to use, how to use the hammer correctly & safely.  As for my confessing my shortcomings, I'm so glad I did it.  Keeping secrets like that only perpetuates the feelings of shame, embarrassment & self-loathing...all very negative energies that keep us down in the dumps.  These past few days, posting the stuff I've posted, reading & re-reading what I've written & ya'lls responses have gradually given me more & more confidence & resolve to get back on track.  You asked me what you can do to hep?  Just keep doing what you are already doing...keeping us motivated, inspired, loved, & supported.  You do that sooooo well!!    Thank you for being my friend.

WOW .... you write what I think most days...  Confession .. good for the soul .. yes .. yes... and more  yes ..  If you cannot have a place to come to .. where support is given , encouraged.. what have you come here for ... ??  I applaud your ability to put things like this into words. SO many have a hard time writing down how they feel .. it is just that .. writing what you feel .. when you feel it . No matter what the outcome .  I know first hand that Obesity is not friendly .. nor is the journey we take getting to our goals. No matter what they may be .  Thank you Ann for posting this . It really has me thinking .. and keeping to what this board and my journey is still about ..  Hugs,  Nat

Thank you for your input, Nat.  Hey if what I've written here has inspired others, even old-timers like yourself...ssshhhh....you know what I mean...LOL...then I'm even more glad that I spoke up.  And even if some of you don't feel comfortable just yet sharing your thoughts here, at least share them with yourself, because as I've been saying all along, we MUST be truthfull to ourselves FIRST.  Sometimes, taking the time to shut out the world, turn off the sound on the tv, put the baby down for a nap, & then just write how we are feeling without thinking about it...just putting the words on paper then re-reading it 20 or 30 minutes later, can be very empowering.  And sometimes that may be all you need...to write to yourself.  For me, I needed to put my "stuff" out here publicly because I needed the added boost I knew I would get from ya'll.  Hmm...validation is probably the word I've been looking for.  Acceptance too.  When we experience self doubt or self loathing, we don't like or love ourselves very much & in that low moment we figure nobody else could love us either.  How nice it is for me, when I am feeling particularly low & vulnerable, to know that at any time of the day or night, I can come here, spill my guts with all their gore & you all STILL LOVE ME & are STILL rooting for me.  Can you grasp the concept of how powerful that is?  It's phenomenal, really.  And when our heros, such as Kat, Natalie, Jill, Jackie, Courtney & so many others come on here & likewise share their weak moments with us...well, it just takes my breath away & gives me so much joy within myself to know that I am not, nor have I EVER been alone in this journey.  That no matter how strong we THINK we are, we are ALL going to falter from time to time & guess what?  THAT'S OK!!  I am learning that now, instead of reaching for the M&Ms or cookies, or whatever my demon foods may be, that all I have to do is come here & say "hey gang...you know what?  I'm feelin' kinda puny today.  Got any words of wisdom to share? or can I get a cyber hug?"  Because I know that these men & women will reach out to me, pull me to their chest, & hug me & love me, & whisper "it's ok...I'm with you."  Now my new concern is if I will ever be able to give back to you all, the oldies & the newbies, all that you have give to me?  I HOPE that that is what I am accomplishing now by sharing all this with ya'll...not from my poor, sick, weakened little heart, but from that wonderful place that we all have within our spirits & souls.  Each of you, in your own unique ways, are soooo special to me & I know that without you, I could not continue this journey.  And to all of you I can only say, graciously....a simple  & humble....THANK YOU.