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Showing posts from October, 2014

Stress, Forgiveness, and Mental Health

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Have you ever found yourself in a situation when you were just so angry or hurt by what someone did or said to you? You likely felt that you could not forgive them at the moment. How could they do such a thing? How could they hurt you like that? We've all had times like this. Remember when your coworkers teased you for not attending that late-night party? Or when your friends forgot to invite you to dinner? What about when your children yelled at you and disrespected you? Or when your partner or spouse didn't even offer to help you with the dishes? Remember the time your parents got angry at you for that awful mark you got in school? The list can go on and on. We've all been hurt or angered before. Needless to say, it is very difficult to forgive other when this occurs. Right away, we feel a rush of emotions such as anger, sadness, frustration, tension, embarrassment, pain, etc. We simply cannot find it within ourselves to forgive. And that's okay. We all need time

My Book is Getting BIG Reviews!

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I'm so blessed to say that not only is my book selling well....now it is getting great reviews from some very influential people! See http://www.laurassoapbox.net/2014/10/unafraid-of-food-and-food-puns.html  for one example!   Laura Collins is the founder of FEAST, an organization created to empower families to support loved ones and friends in overcoming an eating disorder. Laura has so kindly read my book and provided a generous and supportive review of it! Mr. Brad Butt is a Member of Parliament. I was honoured to be able to meet with him a while ago in the summer to discuss eating disorders and how we can help the government of Canada support ED prevention and treatment. It was amazing to be able to sit with a government official to discuss how Canada can raise awareness about ED and mental health! What a way to use my journey and book to make a difference! For all of you who have purchased and read my book, thank you so much. For those who haven't purchased a copy

Happy Thanksgiving!

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To all those in Canada (or anywhere else celebrating!), Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours ! This holiday allows us to all take the time to reflect on what we have and are thankful for. Of course, we really should do this everyday...but Thanksgiving is the one day that you should really take to count your blessings.   If I were to list all my blessings and what I'm thankful for, I would never be done! God is so good to us - He gives us so many blessings. One of these blessings is knowing that He loves us unconditiona lly. In honour of Thanksgiving, I have decided to list some things I am thankful for. I am also going to take this as an opportunity to let others know how thankful I am for having them in my life.  Mom, Dad, and Nansy - I love you more than you can imagine. I am so blessed to have you three in my lifer. You never gave up on me, even in my worst days in the ICFU. To all my readers and friends , I am thankful for your love, kindness, encouragement, and support. I

Watch My Latest Presentation: How God Works In Our Struggles

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A few weeks ago, I was asked to do a presentation at a Hamilton church on my journey with anorexia, as well as how my faith strengthened me during this battle. My struggle with ED has been the hardest thing I have ever experienced. There were many nights when I lay on my bed, wanting to eat - but being unable to do so. There were days when I wanted to die because I didn't know how long I could endure the suffering. In the ICU, I was dying from organ failure because of ED. All this time, I questioned how this could possibly lead to something positive. How could God use this for the good? Why was God allowing this to happen to me? And then one day in the ICU, I was awakened by the nurses, who told me that the breathing tube was coming out because I had regained the ability to breathe. The impossible - living after this near-death experience - had happened . I wasn't dead. I was alive! At home, I began eating and gaining weight, I started a blog. But it was still very hard,

Fr. Anthony Needs Your Help!

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To all my readers, family, and friends: This is a message from Fr. Anthony Messeh, who is a famous blogger and priest, as many of you know. I have posted on his blog very often, and his posts are always refreshing and encouraging!   His message this time is one of need. There is a building of a church in Virginia that needs some funding by October 12. Please realize that I am in no way pushing nor am I begging for any money for this church. However, as a member of the church, I know that without the donations and support of others, we would not be here today. These churches do not only spread God's message - they also minister to the poor, sick, homeless, etc - even those who are not Orthodox. Here are links to a video and website about the project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRQWz5eIl_0 , and http://franthony.com/i-fr-anthony-need-your-help/ . This website explains more about the project: http://onebrickarlington.com/ If you are able to donate an amount, no matter how