The principle of non-harming, of non-violence starts first with yourself. It’s what Shakespeare meant when he wrote To thine own self be true – because then you’re not going to be dishonest with others. So when given the opportunity to be truthful, assertive and speak up for yourself, do you? Or do you find it easier to suppress your truth and eat? And overeat.
When we’re not speaking up for our needs and limits, the resulting resentment and suppressed energy can express itself in negative habits. In my life, this was food. I didn’t set limits, nor honor my needs; instead I spoke up with food.
In the audio clip below, I describe an example of how I ate that anger, because it’s a heck of a lot easier to stuff myself with yogurt and granola than it is to have an open and honest conversation. It can be easier to use food as my voice and my power, as my passive aggressive way of speaking up. Of course, it just hurts myself. Can you relate?
Listen to this excerpt from my keynote speech to the Montessori Teachers Association at their annual conference at Chico Hot Springs in Paradise Valley, Montana:
To download, right click the link above and choose “Save Target As…” or “Save Link As…”
Support Forum members may listen to longer excerpts of my keynote speech here.
Consider four kinds of support from First Ourselves to help with overeating:
- Join our Support Forum to ask questions of Karly and expert moderators
- Check out the Sugar Addiction support program.
- The in-depth Heal Overeating: Untangled support program can transform your relationship with food.
- Listen to free audio blogs on how to unplug from food: Trusting your needs, navigating transitions without food, help for “I can’t handle this!” moments, removing the barriers to love, and trusting in the growth you may not see.
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Karly
I found this audio message yesterday while taking a break from cleaning and cooking to prepare for my ADULT children to arrive today. I was feeling angry and frustrated every I picked up stuff that my messy husband had left around, and at myself for, once again, not asking my kids to help by bringing some of the food and getting here a little earlier with a “helping-out attitude.” BUT I did not dive into chocolate and cookies as I would have in previous years. AND, this morning, when I went to pick up more groceries, I stocked up on fresh fruit and veggies that I will put out for snacks instead of the usual cookies, candies and chips. We’ll see what the reaction is to that! Thanks for saving my sanity and waistline this holiday!