Why You Deserve To Change Your Diet
In my recent blog post, I wrote about how to talk to people who are not supportive of your cleansing. This week, I want to take things a little deeper, or perhaps, back-track a little. The post was based on what I tell my clients who are doing Juice Feasts and who are concerned about the less-than-supportive friends, coworkers and loved ones they may encounter. By the time my clients come to me for coaching, they may still feel nervous about telling people around them that they are changing their diet or doing a cleanse, but it is not enough to keep them from moving forward and making the changes.
The truth is, many of us still don’t feel we are deserving or valid in making changes to our diets and lives. I’m here to give you some validation.
You are the only one who lives in your body. You are the only one who feels tired or energetic, stuffed or with a happy, good-feeling belly, full of clarity or blocked with mental fog. You are the only one who goes through your life in your body. You’re the only one who feels uncomfortable in your clothing at the party you’re attending. You’re the only one who has to lay awake at night because you ate when you were not hungry and now you can’t sleep. You’re the only one whose work is affected, life is affected, and future is affected. You’re the only one who does not get to enjoy your kids’ lives as much because you do not have the energy to keep up with them.
No matter what reasons you think you have to hold yourself back because of other people, remember they don’t have to live in your body. They don’t know how it feels to be you and live in your unique body temple.
You have to take care of yourself. You have to make yourself a priority. You can’t love others fully until you love yourself, and that includes demonstrating that love to yourself by being healthy.
If you are a caretaker and tend to put everyone else first, remember that in the long run (and even in the short run), taking care of yourself is actually taking care of the other people in your life. You will not only be around for more years if you do (and not as many if you don’t), you’ll have more quality in your years. You will be able to spend quality time with the people you care about. And if you have kids, you’ll be teaching them through example how to love themselves, too.
You deserve to feel your best. You deserve to have lots of energy. You deserve to have mental clarity and creativity. You deserve to experience your body at its highest level of functioning on all levels according to its natural design. Not because your body defines who you are or your worth, but because it’s your body and it’s an expression of your unique kind of beauty. You deserve to feel strong and vibrant. You deserve to enjoy how your body feels in clothes and while you are doing activities throughout the day and night.
For a moment, consider Marianne Williamson’s famous quote specifically in regards to your health and body:
“It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Marianne’s words remind us that us taking care of ourselves on all levels is our right and responsibility. Eating poorly to please others or not inconvenience or anger them does not help anyone. If you shine in health, it will only allow others the permission to change their own lives and health and future.
Courtney
