I have to say that this past year has been one filled with many new discoveries of myself, my family and others as well. I have seen three therapists, been on two different medications, watched my parents start their own journey in recovery, had a handful of panic attacks, dropped all my classes within a few weeks of starting them, seen how I have interacted with my sister and other people close to me....I have learned so much and keep continually learning about myself and everyone around me. I have come to the realization that I have become addicted to food, been a co-dependent person my whole life, and that I haven't always had a healthy way of thinking. There are so many things that have happened in my life that have contributed to who I am now and why I am the way I am. I want to share this because there are many others living with dysfunction as well as trauma in their lives, and it affects not only them but others in their lives. I have learned about why I am such a people pleaser and that I value what others think of me. I turn to food to comfort me and if I can't control other parts of my life then I can always control food. It is such a hard thing to face. I am not the person that I want to be. I am in the middle of my own recovery process and at the moment I don't have anyone to connect with. Support is such an important thing. I have learned that and so many other things from my parents. I am so thankful for them and I am trying to work on my relationship with them everyday. Growing up I thought I had a normal life but since a year ago everything seems to have turned upside down. That isn't necessarily a bad thing though. When things become different in my life, I try to find the positives. Knowing what I know now has made a world of difference in my life. Every day I'm still struggling and trying to overcome the weaknesses I have over certain things. God has blessed me with this life and I was born to make a difference in peoples lives. I was born with many gifts just like everyone else is. We all have our own unique talents and abilities. I want everyone to see their purpose in life. There is joy in this life but sometimes we have to fight through the depression and sorrow to find it. I know that is something I deal with daily. I believe we are all stronger than we think. If we have strong enough faith in ourselves and God, as well as others, that really does give us the ability to move mountains. Your mountain may be that you don't have a job to support yourself and the dreams you have, or it may be an addiction that you have. I feel as if I have many mountains in my life and I am really trying hard to have faith in myself...God is magnificent and never changing. His faith in us never seems to die. It seems I've forgotten how precious He sees all of us and how much He really loves us. And with that I say peace and much love.
- Charity
