Special Topics

With Ed, a sense of humor is pretty much non-existent. You usually don’t laugh at anything because you are so numb to your feelings. Ed keeps you close on a tight leash and if you do laugh at something it’s usually a fake laugh…like you laugh when appropriate at someone’s joke, but not really feel it deep inside. You only go through the motions to fit in and you can’t even laugh at yourself. But when you are with recovery all that changes and laughter is present in everything you do and it feels wonderful.

Athletes – both men and women – may be two to three times more likely to have an eating disorder than the average person, according to a 1999 study of college athletes by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. A 2004 study of top athletes in Norway reached a similar conclusion, finding that 13.5% of athletes surveyed had an eating disorder, compared with 4.6% of the control group.

For more than five decades, Barbie has been an iconic toy for millions of youth around the world. She has maintained her position as one of the nation’s top-selling toys for young girls aged three to 12. Despite her popularity, many people have expressed concern over her unrealistic bodily proportions.

When I was with Ed, I didn't have any dreams or goals. My main concentration was Ed and Ed alone. I listened to what he told me, I did what he said and I didn't ask questions. I let Ed plan my life for me and followed his path. I didn't know at the time that he was killing me and taking away everything from me. I was too brainwashed by Ed to see clearly.

Independence Day is a great day to (re)commit to you and your recovery and say good bye to Ed for good. Independence Day is a day that celebrates independence and freedom…two things that recovery gives you.

Last night, while I was cooking my dinner, I was at the stove stirring and staring down at a pan of onions. As I was stirring them, I was amazed at how many pieces there were in the pan from just one onion. All the layers of the onion were cut up in front of me looking back. I then came to the realization that life in recovery is like an onion.

I was driving around this weekend doing a bit of this and a bit of that. I randomly looked up to the top of my windshield and noticed the oil change sticker. I glanced down at the odometer and noticed I was due for an oil change and my car needed service. I needed to give it what it needs to function properly. If we don't give a car what it needs, it breaks down, isn't reliable and doesn't do its job. Much like the things that happen to our body when Ed takes over. We don't function properly.