EATING DISORDERS & RECOVERY: ARIELLE'S "MANTRA"...

Arielle Bair (Becker)

I can't tell you how delighted I was to receive the e-mail below from my dear friend, Arielle, last night in response to my post, AN OPEN INVITATION: SHARE YOUR STORY, THOUGHTS, OPINIONS...

After recovering herself, Arielle has committed her life to helping others who are struggling with eating disorders. Her compassion and dedication have no bounds, and I am honoured to have her as a friend.

Here is Arielle's e-mail:

"Hi there, I just read the latest post on your wonderful blog and thought I'd drop you a line to share some of my thoughts. As you know, I have quite a few thoughts regarding eating disorders (!) so I thought to myself, if I had to choose one thing to say to Medusa's readers, what would it be?

And here's what I decided. I feel very strongly about it, so I thought I'd share it with you and your readers, if you so choose. I know you get a ton of mail and I can certainly relate to that!

I consider this a mantra of sorts. A declaration. A personal proclamation to take to heart.

Recovery is possible.

It's not a guarantee. It's a possibility.

It's not simple. It is difficult and sometimes seems impossible.

It's not a one-step process. It's a multi-step process complete with twists and turns and bending roads...and roads you didn't even know were there.

It's not the same for everyone.

It's not always a happy process. It's not always a sad process.

It IS empowering.

It's not about pleasing other people. It is not about them. It's about YOU.

It's not about perfection. It IS about emotion. It IS about honesty. It IS about self-discovery and self-affirmation.

It's not about what you don't have. It's about using what you've got.

It's not about hiding. It's about finding and displaying.

It's not a quick-fix. It's a lifelong plan set into motion by truth and nurturing and self-love.

It's not about external factors or environment. It IS about what's within.

It is not crazy. It IS real.

Recovery is possible.

I think reading and re-reading this "mantra" is a good way to keep things in perspective.

So there you have it. That's what I'd share. :) If you'd like to share it on your blog, you have my permission. I wrote it all.

Take care,
Arielle

Arielle Lee Bair (Becker)
arielle.becker@gmail.com

Please take a moment to check out Arielle's websites. They're amazing:

http://tearstowords.blogspot.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/arielleleebair

http://arielleleebecker.blogspot.com

From Arielle's blog...

"About Arielle Bair (Becker)"

"I am a woman with a story, a voice, and a commitment. I married the love of my life in April 2008 and am very happy. I am dedicated to helping others in the best way I know how: my writing. Writing helped me on my way to recovery and I have a sincere passion to be, at the very least, an understanding voice amid the pain of eating disorders and all that they bring. I've never been happier, so I know that health--mental, physical, and emotional--is possible. I'm an ANAD Eating Disorder Support Group Leader in the Lehigh Valley area. I have a goal, and that goal is to share, care, and write the words that make sense. I hope that you will share, care, and write along with me."

Thanks so much, Arielle, for sharing your wisdom, and for all you do in helping others who are battling eating disorders. You rock.