Freedom is a journey that has no end because it is a state of the heart more than anything else - and we can always be growing in our sense of inner peace and security. I am many years recovered from the bondage and self-hatred of my anorexia but the journey beyond "recovery" into a life that is free and flourishing has been a longer one. And it continues. In this podcast and the last, I want to share a recent experience that illustrates how this journey into freedom has come about for me, how it is progressive in nature and how the inclusion of a spiritual dimension has been a key factor in apprehending the freedom I experience today.

To help clarify what I mean by recovery and freedom : to me recovery means no longer using food and body/weight/shape control to deal with difficult emotions and life's many challenges; freedom goes beyond recovery to incorporate the experience of living with a heart at peace, a healthy acceptance of self and body, no longer striving, driving or bending ones self out of shape to be something one is not or to please others but rather living from a deep core sense of well-BEing.  For more information go to: michellesparkes.com

Freedom is a journey that has no end because it is a state of the heart more than anything else - and we can always be growing in our sense of inner peace and security. I am many years recovered from the bondage and self-hatred of my anorexia but the journey beyond "recovery" into a life that is free and flourishing has been a longer one. And it continues. In this podcast and the next I want to share a recent experience that illustrates how this journey into freedom has come about for me, how it is progressive in nature and how the inclusion of a spiritual dimension has been a key factor in apprehending the freedom I experience today.

To help clarify what I mean by recovery and freedom : to me recovery means no longer using food and body/weight/shape control to deal with difficult emotions and life's many challenges; freedom goes beyond recovery to incorporate the experience of living with a heart at peace, a healthy acceptance of self and body, no longer striving, driving or bending ones self out of shape to be something one is not or to please others but rather living from a deep core sense of well-BEing.  For more information go to: michellesparkes.com

There are a number of things to embody and embrace (skills to learn, knowledge to apply) to get free from disordered eating behaviours and beliefs but at the heart of it all, I believe there are 3 pillars that are foundational to living a life that is whole and free…

“Value is your birthright, your body is your home, and in a world of uncertainty you can experience a security deep within that will set you free from the dis-ease at the heart of disordered eating.”  Michelle Sparkes

Embrace is a wonderful documentary (film) that celebrates body shape, size, and ethnic diversity. The brainchild of Taryn Brumfitt, a wife and mother of 3 who almost went under the knife in her quest to overcome body loathing, the message she brings goes beyond acceptance to embracing the skin you’re in whatever your shape, size, ethnicity or ability. I love the film and the message Taryn brings. I concur wholeheartedly. When we get beyond body loathing and negative comparisons we free up so much wonderful human energy to get on with the good stuff of connecting with self and others in truly meaningful ways that make us glad to be alive. I highly recommend you see this film if you get the chance. #Ihaveembraced.  Feedback and questions welcome.

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@mp_sparkes

Your future is in front of you and is being shaped by your present. If you’re struggling with disordered eating in your present and you don’t want to carry this into your future you will need help to deal with what’s going on below the surface that’s driving unhelpful behaviours. At the same time understand that we ALL struggle. It’s part of being human. Your recovery (like life) will be a journey, and you will need different support at different times. Be patient and kind to yourself and feel free to ask questions.

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mp_sparkes

Vision is the master key to get FREE from anorexia & eating disorder concerns because unless you can SEE where you are relative to where you want to be, chances are you won’t get to your destination. And if you’re stuck and can’t SEE what’s keeping you stuck, you’ll stay stuck. You need LIGHT and you need VISION. They work together. If you’re lost, in the dark, spinning your wheels or stuck in a cage you cannot see, you need both. These images describe my experience of anorexia and ED.  Light and VISION were the 1st and most important key in my getting FREE and staying free. If you want to experience breakthrough I invite you to contact me.

[email protected] @mp_sparkes

Questions and feedback welcome.

Freedom is a journey that has no end because it is a state of the heart more than anything else – and one can always be growing in one’s sense of inner peace and security.

Bondage on the other hand is a small, tight place that can get so dark and airless it threatens to snuff the life right out of you. Freedom has no end but bondage does. I want to encourage you (wherever you are in your ED journey), as long as you have breath, you have life and light in your veins and there is HOPE for your future because you have power within you to choose… and even when you feel like your ability to choose is on life support, the truth is, even the tiniest turning of your heart away from darkness towards light, away from self hate towards self acceptance, away from body/self punishing behaviours towards nurture OPENS the door for a fraction more…and so it goes…movements towards recovery. Stay tuned for more. Feedback and questions welcome.

© 2016 Michelle Sparkes

[email protected]  @mp_sparkes

If you’ve ever taken an ALL STOPS train or bus to get to your destination you will know it takes forever and stops at places enroute you have no need or desire to visit…all of which takes precious time from you reaching your destination. Time lost on a train journey may not be significant but when that time is your LIFE and it’s spent spinning your wheels on the ED treadmill, the cost to you (in time, health and opportunity) can be enormous!  Welcome to the 4×4 Freedom Express – a unique online program designed to provide the knowledge, skills and support you need to fast-track your way off the ED treadmill and head to freedom-land by the most direct route possible. If you’re sick and tired of spinning your wheels in eating disorder bondage-ville, I invite you to climb onboard the Freedom Express.  Right now I’m looking for a handful of  pre-launch “pioneers” ready to take the journey and reap the benefits. Contact me at michelle@michellesparkes for a free no-obligation consultation.

I love this quote by John Eldridge, “Let people feel the weight of who you are and let them deal with it.”  It fits so well with the premise of Women Worth their Weight and the Freedom Express. I believe self acceptance is the key to overcoming disordered eating and developing health and life-affirming behaviours. I believe self rejection is at the heart of disordered eating. The path into disordered eating may not start with intense feelings of self rejection but this is generally where it ends — in a place where we are literally trying to rid, remake or remodel everything about us that we deem unacceptable. The journey from self rejection to self acceptance is not easy or simple but it is well worth it because it is the key to getting free to BE yourself.

Welcome to the more thoughts about the journey into freedom.

I welcome your feedback and questions. [email protected] mp_sparkes