As I continue my journey to health and a better me, I am learning a lot of valuable life lessons along the way. I am learning why I choose the foods I eat, what keeps me motivated, new ways to improve my overall well-being, and lots of helpful tips and tricks for success. This week, however, I've learned the most valuable lesson to date: no man is an island.
I am not sure why I do this really, but I tend to "island out" at times. Not in an awesome "toes in the sand and a girl drink in my hand" kind of way either. Unfortunately, there are no frosty, umbrella-laced drinks in coconuts served on my island. There's no cool sand or tropical breeze. There's no sweet, old Bahamian man playing calypso music on a steel drum, and there's certainly no studly cabana dude waving a palm frawn to keep me cool. Unfortunately, "islanding out" usually means trouble for me.
Think less paradise and more castaway here. Something more along the lines of a tiny little island with a rocky shore and one little palm tree, surrounded by shark-infested waters, and the sun beating down so hot that the sand nearly bursts into flames under my bare feet. And, of course, there's nary a measure of music nor a cabana dude to be found anywhere either.
I don't become a hermit or anything like that, I just sometimes choose to handle certain things on my own...when I really should ask for help. Even when I realize I would be better off asking for advice or getting valuable input from someone else, I simply don't choose that option for some reason.
In the past, I would be so focused on building a rickety, old, makeshift raft with which to save myself, that I wouldn't look up to notice all of the boats and helicopters surrounding me. I'd continue with my raft building instead of sending up smoke signals. There is definitely something to be said about doing things for yourself and being independent. It's good to figure things out for yourself sometimes. But also? You can't be an idiot, or you'll end up on a deathtrap of a raft out in the middle of an unforgiving ocean. I've done it. I know.
A great thing has happened in this whole process of blogging my journey and all of its truths. By putting it all out there, I've given my island coordinates to those around me. As everyone knows, two heads are better than one, four heads are better than two, and so on and so forth. Blogging has, in some ways, been like using seashells to spell S.O.S in the sand. Friends, family, and co-workers have stepped up in a big way. They have really been there for me. They have been a valuable asset on this journey. Every tip and piece of advice I've received has been taken to heart. Every recipe has been put into rotation. And every bit of support has been wholly cherished.
This week, for example, one of my sisters jumped out of her helicopter all "Seal Team 6 style" down to my little island to hand me a survival kit...the perfect weekly meal plan. This is the equivalent of someone giving a real castaway a raft, a Swiss army knife, water purification tablets, and some cans of food. It was just what I needed.
Making meals and buying food have obviously been issues for me. Although I have made great strides in the right direction when it comes to food, it is still somewhat stressful for me. My Seal Team 6 sister (ST6 for short) lost over a hundred pounds with diet and exercise alone. I'd be crazy not to accept her meal plans! She even went as far as to include recipes and a grocery list to make things easy and totally doable for me! Although she is not a vegetarian, she even customized the meals for my veggie needs. She put a lot of thought into each meal, giving me the most delicious nutrition in every healthy bite. ST6 really hooked me up! For that, I am grateful. I'm glad she noticed my shells in the sand.
So, tonight I'm just going to lean back on my palm tree, enjoy a delicious chopped salad and a beautiful sunset, as I count the boats on the horizon. Thanks ST6! You rock.
**insert calypso music here** 😊
This post hit home. I think we all have someone that refuses to grab that rope ladder dangling from a rescue helicopter or ignores the life preserver being thrown from a yacht. Even worse, sometimes the stranded islander decides to throw flaming coconuts back in return.
ReplyDeleteAs a person who has piloted that proverbial rescue helicopter around a stranded loved one many times in the past, I have one question. What was it that made you decide to accept the much needed help?
You know, that's a really good question. The short answer is that I was looking for it this time. I wanted help. I really want to change!
ReplyDeleteI had tried doing it on my own, but I kept ending up with my raft broken into little bits floating on the ocean, and me washed back up on that same stupid island. I want to succeed this time, so I knew had to change my approach. I had to stop worrying about being judged or being a burden. It took getting beaten up by the waves a few times before I realized this, but here I am. And I am grateful for the help now.
This journey has taught me that when you decide to live your life being honest and out in the sunshine, instead of in the shadows, life seems more hopeful. And its a lot easier to see the life preservers being tossed your way!
Hope that helps! Thanks for the comment!