Today, I write what I know. Not what I've read. Not what I've heard others say. But what I KNOW.
Here's what I know:
I know there are times I am too hard on myself.
I know there are other times I am too easy on myself.
And I know I vacillate all along that spectrum, from too easy to too hard, depending on what outcome I want to get. Yep... I manipulate the system! I tend to think that's kinda normal for most of us, actually.
But I'll speak for myself. It's time I stopped being too easy on myself. I mean, poor me, it's been so hard. A painful surgery, where the novocaine and versed wouldn't take. They finally dumped in valium to the mix just to get me out. Fine with me, I was tired of the pain. I was supposed to be "out" and yet I'm hearing them and feeling it... aarrgghh!
When I woke up, I had no more teeth and 2 new implant posts. The first week was torture. I'm okay now, physically.
But I was surprised at how devastating it was to look into a mirror. "But that's not me!!" It will be months before all is finished, and my new "teeth" are finished. My dentist and surgeon said my case was "complicated", and wanted me to heal awhile before impressions and dentures were made. Sigh... okay, whatever.
Ha ha, little did I know. This has ripped at the heart of who I thought I was. Inside, I don't feel like I look. Jim has been so kind. He took off work for a week to help out, and has been emotionally supportive. Even when I bit his head off! Poor guy...
I finally realized why I was feeling so resentful and frustrated. It had to do with food. Naturally. I eat low carb. I LIKE the way I eat. It's nutritious and delicious, and has allowed me, for the first time in my life, to keep off (with some bumps along the way) the weight I lose. And now, even that diet is out the window. It's got to be all liquid/soft/melt in your mouth stuff. And this is it for quite awhile. Oh sure, liquids can be low carb. I'm talking steak, or a hamburger, or crunchy veggies... all the good stuff is out.
I'm working hard to get in adequate nutrition, but it's hard to keep it balanced. And I resented it!!!
I pouted.
I cried.
I felt sorry for myself.
I indulged.
I was too easy on myself. "Oh poor me" was my excuse. Between the hunger, the pain and the self-pity, I was a mess!
So I endulged. If you could blend it up, I did. Oh, not sugar, I've learned my lesson there. But too much "on plan" food is still gonna get you fat!! Oh the games we play in our heads.
Time to require more of myself. Time to go forward. Time to keep going.
Recently I read again that quote from Winston Churchill:
"If you're going through hell,
keep going."
I'm going. I'm going.
I'm off the heavy duty painkillers. I'm playing again with my art. I'm making future plans. I even, once in a while, think of someone else besides myself. (ha ha, you think I'm joking...)
Whether you are on the Up side or the Down side of life.... keep going.
Just keep going.
Feeling thankful,
Loretta
