Letter I can relate to

Why it's Better to Be with Yourself
by Katie Jay, MSW, Certified Wellness Coach
Director, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery

 I'm just back from walking my dog, and I realize I
did that this morning as a way to comfort myself.
Wow, I've changed.
 
A long time ago, at a time in my life when everything
was falling apart, I responded to the stress and
trauma by using food and alcohol to numb out.
 
My father had left our family; my mother, sister, and
I moved across country; I left a close-knit group
of friends...we even left our pets.
 
I really couldn't bear the pain, and my mother and
sister were not able to help; they were in pain, too.
Not just pain, excruciating pain.
 
At first, I cried a lot. But my new friends said things
like, "Katie, I am so sick of you crying!" and "Get over
it!"
 
Without anyone to help me heal, I sunk into food and
drink -- and let those things soothe me. They worked.
The problem was that those pain-killing substances
also harmed me. I steadily gained weight and I became
addicted. And I felt completely alone.
 
Eventually, I found my way out of that self-harming
lifestyle, but it took a heavy toll on me.
 
While I can see the value in having overcome those
burdens, I wish I had known then what I know now.
 
Here's what I know now:
 
1. I was, am, and always will be worthy of attention
and compassion. I have not been singled out by the
world as a person who is unworthy of love.
 
2. Harming myself when I'm in emotional pain does not
improve my situation, nor does it spare me pain in
the long run.
 
3. All people experience suffering, and many  
people are great resources for support and
encouragement, if I am willing to let them into
my life, and to seek them out when necessary.
 
4. I is kind, I is smart, I is important! Just like
that precious little girl in the movie "The Help,"
I am worth caring for, worth saving, worth loving,
worth praising, worth comforting, worth seeing.
 
5. I don't have to abandon myself, no matter what.
When the going gets tough, I stay present with
myself, say loving things to myself, soothe myself,
nurture myself, allow my pain, forgive myself.
 
Charles Eisenstein says, "Be with yourself. Be with
yourself. Be with yourself."
 
It's taken 50 years, but I get that now. So, despite
my "empty nest syndrome" and life's other stresses,
I am present, taking care of me, and enjoying the
comfort of others, as well.
 
Spring really can't come too soon for me!
 
Be with yourself.
 
Katie

 Thanks for sharing thi****s home. 

Yes It DOES .  Thanks for sharing