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This is the kitchen where we talk about food, life, and recovery—a spiritual path to healing and peace.

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You are invited to keep coming back to A Cup of Kindness to share your experience, strength and hope; fears, doubts and insecurities; and to pick up information, inspiration … and have a little fun!

My story
In January 2007, at the age of 51, I joined a 12-step program and began my recovery from food addiction, losing 75 pounds in the process. Read more…

In January 2011, at the age of 55, I began my recovery from a multi-trauma accident, 36 fractures, damaged lungs, and post traumatic stress. Read more…

I am deeply grateful for all the kindnesses, large and small, offered to me in recovery. Here I am... alive… still making progress … still not perfect … finding a new way forward in a growing community of women and men who share a lot in common around food and life.

I hope you'll join me in this kitchen and let me know what's cooking with you.

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Practice

 

The miracles of daily practice are starting to present themselves! What fun! I put exactly the right amount of food on the scale almost every time. The food leftover from one meal is just the right amount for the next meal. I keep running into the right people at the right time. And some cool insights are showing up.

For instance, yesterday, I said to myself, “I’ll try.” Then I thought, “I will” is better.

This morning, while kicking the ball around with Miranda the Labradoodle, the words “I pray” showed up.

So, if a commitment feels like too much, what can I say that is true and might help me? If I am not ready to commit, perhaps it’s more healing to turn my “I’ll try” or “I will” over to the care of God with “I pray.” My prayer will be answered; probably not in the way I expect. Asking for help may be the very best I can do this day. And asking for help is quite a lot.

I love epiphanies. It’s wonderful to learn from within. Confidence grows, and transformation unfolds. I have plenty of experience now that tells me what it takes to receive these moments. It takes practice, practice, practice and the clarity of Recovery.

I’m curious. What about the miracles in your life? How do they happen for you?

Love & Light,

Valerie

11 Comments to Practice

  1. Cousin Anne's Gravatar Cousin Anne
    July 12, 2012 at 5:50 pm | Permalink

    Yoda said – ” do or do not, there is no try” This was the mantra one year among my thesis students. Personally I think there is a lot of try.

    • Betsy's Gravatar Betsy
      July 12, 2012 at 6:11 pm | Permalink

      If there is no try, then I do not.

  2. Sissy's Gravatar Sissy
    July 13, 2012 at 6:51 am | Permalink

    Sounds like you are getting back in the groove.

    One of my epiphanies was reading in your blog, “if not now, never.” I have always been surprisingly comfortable with, “tomorrow” even when tomorrow just keeps being another day another day another day. There is always a reason – good/bad/indifferent to delay.

    I think epiphanies and insights come much more easily when our mind isn’t cluttered with the noise of disappointment in ourselves, shame, and regret. A quieter gentler happier head is more open to all sorts of things – beauty, peace, LOVE-both giving and receiving.

    xoxoxo

  3. Valca's Gravatar Valca
    July 14, 2012 at 2:12 pm | Permalink

    good afternoon beautiful valerie and friends.

    today’s miracle is connecting with u in person and word.

    reveling in the beauty that is you.

    benefitting from the sunlight of the spirit that surrounds you.

    your humanity, tenderness and generosity provide the hope I need and want to take one step further to embrace all that motherfather god has in store for me.

    i am willing to be willing. and for now, this state of being is all i need to welcome the next step to abundance of mind, body, spirit, comfort and all good that awaits me.

    peace and blessings u beautiful friend and who enter this blessed space you’ve created! valca

  4. Roberta Brenner's Gravatar Roberta Brenner
    July 16, 2012 at 8:09 am | Permalink

    Hi Valerie, I decided to check your blog today, my first day back from vacation, and hopefully a new day of abstinent eating. That will be a miracle!!! xo

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