A Moment of Clarity
(With Gratitude)
By: Katie Jay, MSW, National Association for Weight Loss Surgery
My husband, Mike, and I watched the movie The Notebook recently. We dont normally watch love stories, especially not tear-jerkers. I get too sad! But something told me we better watch this movie. And Mike agreed.
It was about a couple that fell in love, separated, and eventually got together again. Their love was deep and enduring, and they stayed together for the rest of their lives. They died in each others arms.
The story is told through a notebook the woman had written in. She was developing dementia and must have wanted to remember her life story.
So each day, a man she did not recognize read to her from the notebook; and every once in awhile she would have a few moments of clarity. She would recognize the man as her husband, and they would embrace.
In one scene she looked at her husband with love and asked him, How long do we have?
About 5 minutes, he replied.
So, the couple danced to old, familiar music, savoring the time. When they pulled apart, she had lost her clarity.
Who are you? she asked the man.
Do you ever lose sight of whats important in your life? Sometimes when I am caught up in the drama of my food obsession, I forget who I am and what is really important in my life.
I bash myself for overeating, for skipping my vitamins, for criticizing myself for looking fat
I totally forget I have a good life. A life with love, opportunity, fun, potential, hope, and joy.
The Notebook really touched my husband and me. We have tough circumstances right now, with some family demands and job issues, but when we watched that movie, we realized our problems are manageable, and our burdens, well, welcome.
I am going to enjoy a thankful heart this week. I am going to remember because I can that this world has plenty of joy to offer me, and I have plenty to offer the world.
Im not going to let my food, body, and weight obsession rule me, define me, or distract me. Im going to LIVE MY LIFE this week with gratitude.
How about you?
Katie Jay www.nawls.com
