Gather around boyfriends and girlfriends…settle down and grab a seat. Criss cross applesauce.Shhh….inside voices.
It’s time for a story. Today’s share?
Interpreted by Miss. Caterpillar
That would be me.
We have to learn a whole lot of stuff during our lives. Growing up, we had to master skills that now come naturally to us. Like walking and talking. And making cereal.
But even when we’re grown, life continues to require us to learn. Sometimes we learn things that aren’t good for us. Bad habits like spending too much, having a short temper, smoking or eating too much.
We find ourselves flat on our backs.
Sometimes we have to re-learn skills that should be natural to us but aren’t — like how to do life without a vice. 
There are people to help us get on our feet, books to read and support meetings to attend, prayer to be done. But even God wants us to succeed on our own so we are stronger.
Ultimately we’re on our own.
Change takes a lot of practice. We find ourselves flat on our backs again.
And again.
Loved ones can encourage us, but they can’t do it for us. Even though we know better, we continue to do the things we don’t want to do. We’re clumsy.
But we’re not defeated. We try again. And again.
One day something’s going to click.
We’ll find the motivation we need – even if it means being scared shirtless. You go bankrupt, your marriage falls apart, your health deteriorates. Your motivation to change becomes stronger than the will to stay the same.
Something will click, I have faith. Sooner or later…
We nail the landing. Score a perfect 10 and take home the Gold.
That victory will be worth all the time spent on our backs wondering how the heck we’re gonna get it right. Amen?
You can learn a lot from a beetle.
- What’s one change you’ve made that you’re proud of?
- Is there something in your life you are being clumsy about?
So much truth in this post! I definitely envy the natural instincts of children prior to being exposed to all the noise in our society that often leads us as adults and adolescents on unnatural paths…and thus skews us. It also makes me worry for the fading of childhood.
I think the biggest change I’m proud of is overcoming anorexia. Yes, I obviously will never be 100% back to the way I was prior to the disorder, but I have come so far from the mentally and physically torturous existence I had with the disorder, and somehow being symptom-free for the past two years makes me believe I am getting farther and farther away from the possibility of relapse
Symptom free for two years! You are a hero! Can’t wait to get to bl-know you.
I love the phrase you wrote, “Scared Shi-r-tless”. Ha ha ha, too cute.
Good way of putting a perspective in about our EDs or anything else in general.
Hugs
I’m queen of cursing substitutions.
Yes I talk that way “in real life”
You know what I love most about this post?
How much life is in your eyes and how rosy your cheeks are. You are beautiful, friend.
Are you calling me fat?
HAhahahah ..I’m hilarious.
And thank you.
As always, I love your optimism and I hope you’re able to turn it into positive action where it counts.
It might sound strange, but one of the best changes I’ve made for myself was dropping out of my first attempt at grad school almost three years ago! The program was a terrible fit for me and my ED was at its worst. My choice to quit school and join AmeriCorps (domestic Peace Corps), although it infuriated my parents and freaked out my professors, most likely saved my life, and certainly saved me a good deal of agony. Leaving the program and the city didn’t cure my ED, but it brought me out of the dark place I was in and gave me a new perspective. Just goes to show that the making your own choices, no matter how much opposition you’re given, is the best way to go.
I am proud of every single change I’ve ever made. Not a single change is ever easy to make.
Very true.
oh how I am waiting for that click! I’ve been on my back for way to long. But giving that to God, he can make me walk and that will be a great CLICK!
In fact he tells us we already can walk …”Pick up your Mat” “Your Faith has healed you” etc.
We just need to have that click.
Ahh to be a child again. I always reminisce and look back on those years thinking they were the best ever, but they had their problems too. Still, kids are the best before society creeps into their heads and screws everything up. One of the proudest changes that I’ve made is probably the way that I look at, and treat, my body. I no longer mentally and physically abuse it, but try to always treat it with extra special TLC. After all, I’ve only got one, and it’s gotta last me a good long while, so I’ve gotta be careful with the wear and tear…
I cannot CANNOT wait until the day where I get off my azz, erm..my back and it clicks and I am right side up. Thanks for leading the way.
Love that
. I think it’s awesome how you drew parallels to our adult lives from a children’s book. So amazing =).
I was proud that I changed my major in college to something I truly loved instead of just majoring in biology because I was good at it and others wanted me to. I really love being a professional writer and doing something I like every day and getting paid for it
.
I love kiddie lit. It can be rather profound and even when it is not it is still colorful.
I’m proud of you for that too….it takes guts to follow a dream.
Got any guts I can borrow?
I think you have plenty of guts. You are one of the strongest and most optimistic people I know! You will follow your dream…when you are ready.
I love your story time
Why thank you! Me too!
I have vacationed since the end of July and haven’t counted a single calorie. In addition, I have eaten out and varied foods too. There has been some serious emotional pain from a close family member but I haven’t fallen into restriction. I am proud.
You look so cute dear!
Boo to the yeah – no calorie counting.
Straight Boo to family drama.
I’m very proud of you, Susu. I know how hard that must have been for you. (Missy, I hope you don’t mind that I posted a message to another person on your blog!)
“Loved ones can encourage us, but they can’t do it for us.” So true. No matter how much support we have, we still have to make our own choices. Things might have “clicked” for me a couple of days ago – not sure yet. I’m slightly more motivated to try and sort myself out after an incident on Friday. We’ll see how I go.
Car accidents can’t do “it” for us either.
It is truly up to us.
Get in touch if you want someone to chat/vent to. I am in the same boat and the company makes the ride easier.
I could not agree more Missy! Some lessons we have to learn ourselves, and there is help out there for us, but we must in the long run learn it for ourselves. Never had any idea children’s books could be so helpful to real life problems. I should read them more often
have a great rest of your monday!
Scott
I’ve read a lot of Eric Carle books but seriously? He has a book about a click beetle?
Love your story more though. You’re very inspiring to me. I’m on my back right now and could use a big strong click to get me back on my feet.
I’m proud I’m actually following my dreams and doing what I want, not what people think I should do.
Heya Missy…sorry to post this here on a comment, but I sent you an email and didn’t get a response…did you get my email? Let me know…I can try to send it again… prayers back atcha friend.
No — I didn’t get one but would love to hear from you — here is my personal email: melissaannmiller@hotmail.com