Like the Flower, You Will Bloom
Dear children of the world
Brother, Sisters, Mothers and Fathers
Listen and hear the sound of my voice
Because I've got a story to tell
Dear children of the world
Open your eyes and take a walk with me
Through the highs and the lows
I want to tell of life's beauty
The beauty of you and me and all around
This life we have been given, given out of love,
is all the beauty that we'll need
Look to the flower growing out of rock
It had a rough beginning
As some of us have had
It is blooming in the darkness
For it knows the sun will shine soon
So listen when I say
The beauty of your life
Is that you are living each and every day
Open your eyes and look
At the beauty all around.
Your life may sometimes be rough
You are stuck in a rock like the flower
Keep fighting, keep growing
Like the flower, you will bloom.
By Jessica Kay Heitman with Patrick Bergstrom
Monday, September 13, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Body is a Temple
Self-Examination Part 2:
Strengthening The Body:
In the last post I addressed the importance of nurturing your mind through scripture reading and using positive affirmations to build a sound mind and healthy self-esteem. Today I would like to focus on the body and the significance of physical strength and health. The mind is truly unable to function to its full capacity if the body is not in good physical condition. Therefore it is essential that we take care of ourselves on a regular basis and treat our bodies with the utmost respect. Fitness, nutrition and rest are the key components to creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and body. The Bible has this to say about our bodies;
1st Corinthians 6:19-20
What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit! Wow! This verse speaks such truth and should be a wakeup call to everyone. It sure woke me up and got me thinking and revaluating my life. This reminded me of a statement my Dad would always tell me when I was young which states;
“You can have all the wealth and riches in the world but if you don’t have your health then you have nothing.”
This is so true because you can have lots of money and all kinds of material things but how can you enjoy them without your health. The simple answer is you can’t! Your body is vessel handcrafted by God and it is our job to nurture it on a daily basis through nutrition, fitness and rest. By simply taking care of our bodies we are serving God and bringing glory to his Heavenly Kingdom. Destroying the body is a direct insult on God or a swift slap to his face. We need to realize that our bodies are a gift and it is our duty and responsibility to maintain them.
Our bodies are like a car in that they need fuel to run and regular maintenance to perform the everyday tasks of life. If you don’t put fuel in your car then it is pretty much a useless machine because it needs gas to run the engine. It is also true that if you run your car for months on end without changing the oil then inevitably the car will breakdown and stop running. Likewise, if you don’t supply your body with the proper nutrients then it will most likely breakdown and get sick. Food and water is the fuel for the body like gas is to a car. I am not by any means a nutritionist but I do understand what it takes to live healthy.
For more than 4 years I starved my body of food, water and the essential nutrients that we all need to survive. I suffered from Anorexia Nervosa and it almost took my life. By an act of God and through the support of a loving family I landed in treatment and it saved my life. While in treatment I learned to eat healthy and to nurture my body through nutrition. If you are currently in recovery or are suffering from an eating disorder know that food is not the enemy. Food is the fuel of the body that we all need to survive. I currently eat 3 meals per day with at least 2 snacks depending upon my workout schedule for the day. I also consume just around a gallon of water per day. Water is the most important thing you can give your body. I start with a healthy breakfast incorporating all the food groups. Breakfast is probably the most important meal because it gives you the energy to get through the day. When I was young, I never ate breakfast and I always found myself dragging by mid afternoon. Also, if you start off with a nice breakfast your body isn’t starving during the day which can help prevent you from overeating at lunch or dinner. I follow up my breakfast with a nice lunch and then with dinner and again each of my meals consist of all the food groups. This may seem like simple information but for those struggling with eating disorders and other addictions it is essential that you give your body the proper fuel and nutrients to recover everything you depleted. If you need a proper meal plan for your recovery or are looking for more information on nutrition then I would suggest seeking out a nutritionist in your area.
I previously mentioned that a car needs regular maintenance like tunes ups and oil changes. Likewise we can maintain are bodies not only through proper nutrition, but also through fitness and rest. I grew up in an athletic family and I have been active since I was a little kid. I was always playing sports, running, and when I got older, lifting weights. I truly believe that by being active on a regular basis your body will stay in sound health and your mind and spirit will be empowered as well. I am not saying you need to start lifting weights or running every day. I am just suggesting that you be active in a way that best suits your body and life. You can go for a walk or jog, take Yoga or Pilates classes, stretch, swim, bike, and the list goes on and on. God blessed us with an amazing body that was created to be active.
When I was in the grips of my eating disorder and alcoholism, I did nothing to maintain my health and body. I never worked out, or went for a walk or anything. I was always tired and lived my life in a constant haze and depression. Now that I am in strong recovery I run and workout elevating my serotonin which naturally strengthens my mind and body. My suggestion to you is to start out with a nice daily walk and stretch and increase from there. Also, don’t exercise or workout by yourself. Find a partner such as a friend, husband, wife, or brother or sister and workout together. This is a good way to make it enjoyable and at the same time you can hold each other accountable. Fitness and exercise is not designed to be painful or a miserable experience. It should be something you look forward to and feel good about doing. Finally, when you are active on a regular basis you will find that your sleep is much healthier. When I was sick I never slept and I had to use energy drinks to make it through each day. Now that I am healthy, my sleep is great and I am full of energy during the day. Know that everyone is different and that we all need different amounts of rest and sleep to function properly. Find out how much sleep you need and make sure you get plenty of good rest each night so you are at the top of your game each day when you wake up. A rested body is a healthy body!
NOTE:
If you are in recovery with an eating disorder please seek council from your treatment team/nutritionist on what exercise level is acceptable for you.
Here is my self-inventory of my current health and fitness level. I truly believe at the ripe old age of 27 that today I am in better shape than I have ever been in my entire life. When I was a competitive lacrosse player I pushed my body to the brink exhausting myself on a daily basis. I thought that was being in good physical form but was I ever wrong. Today, I am much healthier and stronger. I currently run 4-5 times per week and workout just around 5 times a week as well. I eat 3 full meals per day with 2-3 nutritious snacks. In other words, I eat when I am hungry. I also replenish my body with at least a gallon of water per day. Now that I am healthy my body understands how much food and water it needs to function properly.
My fitness routine may seem like a lot but it really isn’t. In college I ran almost every day, went to practice and worked out as well all while not eating. Today, I am currently training for the Baltimore Marathon which is on October 16, 2010. I have a trainer and I never workout alone. When I run, I don’t take a watch and run at my own pace. I don’t lift weights anymore because of the strain it put on my body when I was younger. I am currently doing a workout called PowerFlex by Flexerciseworkouts, which is a fitness routine using only your body. I love this workout because it really allows you to connect with your body on a spiritual level. It’s based off of natural animal movements and uses stretching and body resistance to build strength and endurance. It’s a simple 30 minute workout designed for men and women of all ages. My mom actually does this workout as well and she loves it. She is a breast cancer survivor and she was always wasting money on gym memberships trying to stay healthy. She was then introduced to BeautyFlex which is the female version of PowerFlex and she has been doing it ever since. If you would like more information on PowerFlex and BeautyFlex then please check out this link; www.flexerciseworkout.com/ Today, I am using my body to serve God through fitness, nutrition and health. No longer will I destroy it through worldly vices such as eating disorders and drinking. God blessed me with this amazing vessel and I am not going to let it go to waste.
Remember, your body is a temple and it is a beautiful vessel, uniquely sculpted, and crafted by God. There will never be another body just like yours. Your health is the most important thing in this world because without it, you can do nothing. Take care of yourself through fitness, nutrition and rest. Find out what works best for you and go with it. For me, it’s running! When I am running I am free and alive!!!
What makes you come alive??
“He who has health, has hope. And he who has hope, has everything.” – Proverb
Live Strong,
Patrick Bergstrom
Strengthening The Body:
In the last post I addressed the importance of nurturing your mind through scripture reading and using positive affirmations to build a sound mind and healthy self-esteem. Today I would like to focus on the body and the significance of physical strength and health. The mind is truly unable to function to its full capacity if the body is not in good physical condition. Therefore it is essential that we take care of ourselves on a regular basis and treat our bodies with the utmost respect. Fitness, nutrition and rest are the key components to creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and body. The Bible has this to say about our bodies;
1st Corinthians 6:19-20
What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit! Wow! This verse speaks such truth and should be a wakeup call to everyone. It sure woke me up and got me thinking and revaluating my life. This reminded me of a statement my Dad would always tell me when I was young which states;
“You can have all the wealth and riches in the world but if you don’t have your health then you have nothing.”
This is so true because you can have lots of money and all kinds of material things but how can you enjoy them without your health. The simple answer is you can’t! Your body is vessel handcrafted by God and it is our job to nurture it on a daily basis through nutrition, fitness and rest. By simply taking care of our bodies we are serving God and bringing glory to his Heavenly Kingdom. Destroying the body is a direct insult on God or a swift slap to his face. We need to realize that our bodies are a gift and it is our duty and responsibility to maintain them.
Our bodies are like a car in that they need fuel to run and regular maintenance to perform the everyday tasks of life. If you don’t put fuel in your car then it is pretty much a useless machine because it needs gas to run the engine. It is also true that if you run your car for months on end without changing the oil then inevitably the car will breakdown and stop running. Likewise, if you don’t supply your body with the proper nutrients then it will most likely breakdown and get sick. Food and water is the fuel for the body like gas is to a car. I am not by any means a nutritionist but I do understand what it takes to live healthy.
For more than 4 years I starved my body of food, water and the essential nutrients that we all need to survive. I suffered from Anorexia Nervosa and it almost took my life. By an act of God and through the support of a loving family I landed in treatment and it saved my life. While in treatment I learned to eat healthy and to nurture my body through nutrition. If you are currently in recovery or are suffering from an eating disorder know that food is not the enemy. Food is the fuel of the body that we all need to survive. I currently eat 3 meals per day with at least 2 snacks depending upon my workout schedule for the day. I also consume just around a gallon of water per day. Water is the most important thing you can give your body. I start with a healthy breakfast incorporating all the food groups. Breakfast is probably the most important meal because it gives you the energy to get through the day. When I was young, I never ate breakfast and I always found myself dragging by mid afternoon. Also, if you start off with a nice breakfast your body isn’t starving during the day which can help prevent you from overeating at lunch or dinner. I follow up my breakfast with a nice lunch and then with dinner and again each of my meals consist of all the food groups. This may seem like simple information but for those struggling with eating disorders and other addictions it is essential that you give your body the proper fuel and nutrients to recover everything you depleted. If you need a proper meal plan for your recovery or are looking for more information on nutrition then I would suggest seeking out a nutritionist in your area.
I previously mentioned that a car needs regular maintenance like tunes ups and oil changes. Likewise we can maintain are bodies not only through proper nutrition, but also through fitness and rest. I grew up in an athletic family and I have been active since I was a little kid. I was always playing sports, running, and when I got older, lifting weights. I truly believe that by being active on a regular basis your body will stay in sound health and your mind and spirit will be empowered as well. I am not saying you need to start lifting weights or running every day. I am just suggesting that you be active in a way that best suits your body and life. You can go for a walk or jog, take Yoga or Pilates classes, stretch, swim, bike, and the list goes on and on. God blessed us with an amazing body that was created to be active.
When I was in the grips of my eating disorder and alcoholism, I did nothing to maintain my health and body. I never worked out, or went for a walk or anything. I was always tired and lived my life in a constant haze and depression. Now that I am in strong recovery I run and workout elevating my serotonin which naturally strengthens my mind and body. My suggestion to you is to start out with a nice daily walk and stretch and increase from there. Also, don’t exercise or workout by yourself. Find a partner such as a friend, husband, wife, or brother or sister and workout together. This is a good way to make it enjoyable and at the same time you can hold each other accountable. Fitness and exercise is not designed to be painful or a miserable experience. It should be something you look forward to and feel good about doing. Finally, when you are active on a regular basis you will find that your sleep is much healthier. When I was sick I never slept and I had to use energy drinks to make it through each day. Now that I am healthy, my sleep is great and I am full of energy during the day. Know that everyone is different and that we all need different amounts of rest and sleep to function properly. Find out how much sleep you need and make sure you get plenty of good rest each night so you are at the top of your game each day when you wake up. A rested body is a healthy body!
NOTE:
If you are in recovery with an eating disorder please seek council from your treatment team/nutritionist on what exercise level is acceptable for you.
Here is my self-inventory of my current health and fitness level. I truly believe at the ripe old age of 27 that today I am in better shape than I have ever been in my entire life. When I was a competitive lacrosse player I pushed my body to the brink exhausting myself on a daily basis. I thought that was being in good physical form but was I ever wrong. Today, I am much healthier and stronger. I currently run 4-5 times per week and workout just around 5 times a week as well. I eat 3 full meals per day with 2-3 nutritious snacks. In other words, I eat when I am hungry. I also replenish my body with at least a gallon of water per day. Now that I am healthy my body understands how much food and water it needs to function properly.
My fitness routine may seem like a lot but it really isn’t. In college I ran almost every day, went to practice and worked out as well all while not eating. Today, I am currently training for the Baltimore Marathon which is on October 16, 2010. I have a trainer and I never workout alone. When I run, I don’t take a watch and run at my own pace. I don’t lift weights anymore because of the strain it put on my body when I was younger. I am currently doing a workout called PowerFlex by Flexerciseworkouts, which is a fitness routine using only your body. I love this workout because it really allows you to connect with your body on a spiritual level. It’s based off of natural animal movements and uses stretching and body resistance to build strength and endurance. It’s a simple 30 minute workout designed for men and women of all ages. My mom actually does this workout as well and she loves it. She is a breast cancer survivor and she was always wasting money on gym memberships trying to stay healthy. She was then introduced to BeautyFlex which is the female version of PowerFlex and she has been doing it ever since. If you would like more information on PowerFlex and BeautyFlex then please check out this link; www.flexerciseworkout.com/ Today, I am using my body to serve God through fitness, nutrition and health. No longer will I destroy it through worldly vices such as eating disorders and drinking. God blessed me with this amazing vessel and I am not going to let it go to waste.
Remember, your body is a temple and it is a beautiful vessel, uniquely sculpted, and crafted by God. There will never be another body just like yours. Your health is the most important thing in this world because without it, you can do nothing. Take care of yourself through fitness, nutrition and rest. Find out what works best for you and go with it. For me, it’s running! When I am running I am free and alive!!!
What makes you come alive??
“He who has health, has hope. And he who has hope, has everything.” – Proverb
Live Strong,
Patrick Bergstrom
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Importance of Self-Inventory
Self-Examination- Part 1
Nurturing the Mind, Body & Spirit:
Last night I attended the weekly Fishers of Men Wednesday night service and to my surprise I was again inspired and motivated by another powerful message by Jimmy Forystek. (http://fishersofmenchurch.org/) God just works like that. He tends to speak to you at just the right moment. There are no coincidences with God! The sermon drove home one simple point; you are the most important person in the world. It’s so true because if you aren’t taking care of yourself then how can you be anything for God, for your family and friends, for your recovery, and for the rest of the world? The simple answer is you can’t! The message went on to talk about self-examination and walking in faith. Of course this got my brain firing on all cylinders and I came up with a wonderful idea for this blog and my recovery. The sermon was based off of II Corinthians 13:5.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? II Cor. 13:5
At least once per week, if not more, I am going to conduct a self-examination of my mind, body and spirit to determine where I am and what I need to work on. This way I will be able to track my growth and discover the character defects and challenges in my life that I need to either eliminate or cultivate. My hopes are that you will do just the same thing. This is something anyone can do and you don’t have to be in recovery to do a weekly self-examination. It’s almost like a system of checks and balances for yourself because at some point you will be standing before God and only you will have to answer for the choices you made.
When I stand before God I want him to see through all the poor decisions I made and see the dedication and determination I had to preserve through life in an effort to bring glory to his name and kingdom. Yes, I fully acknowledge all the wrong decisions I have made that deceived God, my family, my friends, my girlfriend, and myself but I am fully committed to righting those wrongs and mending those relationships. This blog and journey is a way for me to share my experiences, strengths and hopes with the simple goal of revealing the wonderful healing power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ through straightforward everyday life choices.
Self-Examination Week 1:
Mind:
The mind is such a powerful and dangerous instrument all at the same time. One moment you can be thinking so positive and then something happens and your brain just totally switches into pessimistic mode. Well, I don’t know about you but this happens to me all the time. Though I am trying to work on this everyday and I am trying to counter the negative thoughts with positive ones. This is where self-esteem comes into play and you truly become what you think you are. If I think I am an awesome spirit being who is deeply loved by God then my spirits are high, my activity is intense and my life becomes productive. If I fall into the trap of believing the lies of my depressing thoughts then my world and recovery gets flipped upside down and I inevitably go nowhere. It’s like I am treading water in the middle of the ocean with no shore in sight. This is exactly what unconstructive and irrational thoughts do to you. These harmful thoughts are the self-destructive tool the devil uses to creep into your mind to destroy you. These negative thoughts lead to making poor decisions like running back to the bottle or fleeing deep into the insanity of your eating disorder. Well now, the question is then how do we deflect these harmful thoughts?
I am not an expert or therapist but I can share with you what I am doing and what is currently working for me. Every day I fill my mind with the word of God from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. I try to memorize two power verses per day so that I can rebuke the devil and the self-sabotaging thoughts that come into my mind. Power verses are anything that speaks to you in the moment or a motivating verse that gets you fired up about serving God. Right now, I am currently focusing on verses pertaining to the strength through Christ and verses that pertain to the negative consequences of drinking alcohol. A few examples would be;
Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ.
1st John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Proverbs 23:21
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.
I have found that speaking the word of God has great power which even the devil is no match for. Jesus also when tempted in the wilderness for 40 days quoted scripture to rebuke the devil. There is truly wonder working power in God’s word. I devote a few hours per day to memorizing scripture. My suggestion would be to start with small verses that speak to you and read over them and write them out until you have the verse embedded in your memory. Negative thoughts can creep up on you at anytime and it is awesome to have a weapon to banish these thoughts in a matter of seconds. Again, the devil is no match for the word of God.
My other suggestion would be to fill your mind with positive affirmations and inspirational quotes. I read quotes every morning and coach myself with positive affirmations. You become what you think so if you fill your head with greatness and positivity, then you become transformed by these thoughts and remarkably your day will be enlightened with peace and happiness. I do this each day because in life and recovery, it’s all about living in the moment. Here is a great link on affirmations which can help you to jump start your day on a regular basis; http://www.creativeaffirmations.com/index.html So wake up tomorrow and tell yourself; I can, I can, I can recover and I am, I am, I am an awesome spirit being with magnificent worth as a person!
Here is the weekly self-inventory of my mind and thoughts. This week has really been uplifting and my spirits have been pretty high. I am currently feeling very optimistic about myself and my life. I spoke with my mom on the phone yesterday and she told me how great I sounded. That was a total blessing and made my day. I was also full of jokes yesterday and made my girlfriend Julia laugh all day and she loved how happy and funny I was. Praise God for he is allowing my true personality to shine through adversity. I must be totally honest though and say that there are times when I get down and those self-defeating drinking thoughts do creep in. However, I immediately rebuke them using scripture and they are instantly gone. In the past, I would dwell on these thoughts for days and it would eventually lead to a relapse. Now, I am learning to deflect these voices and thoughts and use them to motivate my recovery. There are also times when I get down about not having a job but I quickly tell myself I am doing everything I can right now and that God is at work in my life. This is also when I use positive affirmations and I verbally tell myself this daily; "Today is filled with opportunity. Everywhere I look I see it, and I trust my intuition to follow where it leads."
So I am actually quite excited about today and what lies ahead for me in the near future. My life is not perfect but I am trusting in Gods great plan and I will go where the Holy Spirit leads me. I was going to make this post on the mind, body, and spirit but apparently I write too much and I don’t want to make this post to long so I will continue with the body, and spirit inventory tomorrow making this a series of 3 separate posts. I will do this each week in the hopes to grow spiritually, mentally and physically. Remember, your thoughts affect the choices you make and these choices will directly affect the course in which your life takes in the future. So let’s think positive and believe that we can overcome and succeed. You are the most important person in the world and God is counting on you!
I would like to leave you with this simple quote to meditate upon today.
"It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." -J K Rowling
To be continued…..
Live Strong,
Patrick
Nurturing the Mind, Body & Spirit:
Last night I attended the weekly Fishers of Men Wednesday night service and to my surprise I was again inspired and motivated by another powerful message by Jimmy Forystek. (http://fishersofmenchurch.org/) God just works like that. He tends to speak to you at just the right moment. There are no coincidences with God! The sermon drove home one simple point; you are the most important person in the world. It’s so true because if you aren’t taking care of yourself then how can you be anything for God, for your family and friends, for your recovery, and for the rest of the world? The simple answer is you can’t! The message went on to talk about self-examination and walking in faith. Of course this got my brain firing on all cylinders and I came up with a wonderful idea for this blog and my recovery. The sermon was based off of II Corinthians 13:5.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? II Cor. 13:5
At least once per week, if not more, I am going to conduct a self-examination of my mind, body and spirit to determine where I am and what I need to work on. This way I will be able to track my growth and discover the character defects and challenges in my life that I need to either eliminate or cultivate. My hopes are that you will do just the same thing. This is something anyone can do and you don’t have to be in recovery to do a weekly self-examination. It’s almost like a system of checks and balances for yourself because at some point you will be standing before God and only you will have to answer for the choices you made.
When I stand before God I want him to see through all the poor decisions I made and see the dedication and determination I had to preserve through life in an effort to bring glory to his name and kingdom. Yes, I fully acknowledge all the wrong decisions I have made that deceived God, my family, my friends, my girlfriend, and myself but I am fully committed to righting those wrongs and mending those relationships. This blog and journey is a way for me to share my experiences, strengths and hopes with the simple goal of revealing the wonderful healing power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ through straightforward everyday life choices.
Self-Examination Week 1:
Mind:
The mind is such a powerful and dangerous instrument all at the same time. One moment you can be thinking so positive and then something happens and your brain just totally switches into pessimistic mode. Well, I don’t know about you but this happens to me all the time. Though I am trying to work on this everyday and I am trying to counter the negative thoughts with positive ones. This is where self-esteem comes into play and you truly become what you think you are. If I think I am an awesome spirit being who is deeply loved by God then my spirits are high, my activity is intense and my life becomes productive. If I fall into the trap of believing the lies of my depressing thoughts then my world and recovery gets flipped upside down and I inevitably go nowhere. It’s like I am treading water in the middle of the ocean with no shore in sight. This is exactly what unconstructive and irrational thoughts do to you. These harmful thoughts are the self-destructive tool the devil uses to creep into your mind to destroy you. These negative thoughts lead to making poor decisions like running back to the bottle or fleeing deep into the insanity of your eating disorder. Well now, the question is then how do we deflect these harmful thoughts?
I am not an expert or therapist but I can share with you what I am doing and what is currently working for me. Every day I fill my mind with the word of God from the King James Version of the Holy Bible. I try to memorize two power verses per day so that I can rebuke the devil and the self-sabotaging thoughts that come into my mind. Power verses are anything that speaks to you in the moment or a motivating verse that gets you fired up about serving God. Right now, I am currently focusing on verses pertaining to the strength through Christ and verses that pertain to the negative consequences of drinking alcohol. A few examples would be;
Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ.
1st John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Proverbs 23:21
For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.
I have found that speaking the word of God has great power which even the devil is no match for. Jesus also when tempted in the wilderness for 40 days quoted scripture to rebuke the devil. There is truly wonder working power in God’s word. I devote a few hours per day to memorizing scripture. My suggestion would be to start with small verses that speak to you and read over them and write them out until you have the verse embedded in your memory. Negative thoughts can creep up on you at anytime and it is awesome to have a weapon to banish these thoughts in a matter of seconds. Again, the devil is no match for the word of God.
My other suggestion would be to fill your mind with positive affirmations and inspirational quotes. I read quotes every morning and coach myself with positive affirmations. You become what you think so if you fill your head with greatness and positivity, then you become transformed by these thoughts and remarkably your day will be enlightened with peace and happiness. I do this each day because in life and recovery, it’s all about living in the moment. Here is a great link on affirmations which can help you to jump start your day on a regular basis; http://www.creativeaffirmations.com/index.html So wake up tomorrow and tell yourself; I can, I can, I can recover and I am, I am, I am an awesome spirit being with magnificent worth as a person!
Here is the weekly self-inventory of my mind and thoughts. This week has really been uplifting and my spirits have been pretty high. I am currently feeling very optimistic about myself and my life. I spoke with my mom on the phone yesterday and she told me how great I sounded. That was a total blessing and made my day. I was also full of jokes yesterday and made my girlfriend Julia laugh all day and she loved how happy and funny I was. Praise God for he is allowing my true personality to shine through adversity. I must be totally honest though and say that there are times when I get down and those self-defeating drinking thoughts do creep in. However, I immediately rebuke them using scripture and they are instantly gone. In the past, I would dwell on these thoughts for days and it would eventually lead to a relapse. Now, I am learning to deflect these voices and thoughts and use them to motivate my recovery. There are also times when I get down about not having a job but I quickly tell myself I am doing everything I can right now and that God is at work in my life. This is also when I use positive affirmations and I verbally tell myself this daily; "Today is filled with opportunity. Everywhere I look I see it, and I trust my intuition to follow where it leads."
So I am actually quite excited about today and what lies ahead for me in the near future. My life is not perfect but I am trusting in Gods great plan and I will go where the Holy Spirit leads me. I was going to make this post on the mind, body, and spirit but apparently I write too much and I don’t want to make this post to long so I will continue with the body, and spirit inventory tomorrow making this a series of 3 separate posts. I will do this each week in the hopes to grow spiritually, mentally and physically. Remember, your thoughts affect the choices you make and these choices will directly affect the course in which your life takes in the future. So let’s think positive and believe that we can overcome and succeed. You are the most important person in the world and God is counting on you!
I would like to leave you with this simple quote to meditate upon today.
"It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." -J K Rowling
To be continued…..
Live Strong,
Patrick
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Power of Kindness
The Act of Kindness
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
- Plato
I read this quote early this morning and posted it to the I Chose To Live fan page. It really spoke to my heart. I love to write but I tend to only write when I feel inspired from the depths of my heart. This is one of these times. This quote is so simple but has such power in its meaning. Life is truly a battlefield everyday and every second. There will be times where you feel like you are on top of the world and times when you feel like you just want to give up. Of course there will also be those in between times as well. I have experienced all of these peaks and valleys in life and I truly believe there is no greater human power on this earth than the simple act of “kindness.”
This quote also reminded me of my parents because I was always told to be kind to strangers because you really have no idea what’s going on in their life. How true is this?? So true!! Let me give you a quick example. Say you go out for a nice dinner and your server is grumpy and messes up your order. Should you bash them and make them feel miserable? Some people would probably say yes and I see this happen all the time. Try thinking about the server and what they might be going through. They might have just experienced a great loss or might be dealing with a personal struggle. You just really don’t know. This is where a simple act of kindness comes in. Instead of blowing up on the server, next time, try being friendly and leave a nice tip. I have done this many times and you will leave feeling so much better. I can also guarantee that you made that servers day.
Everyone is human and nobody is perfect and we are all seeking approval, acceptance, love and happiness. This is a crazy world we live in and sometimes we just make it worse by being biter, rude, selfish, inconsiderate and angry. I am just as guilty as the next person but I am trying to change on a daily basis. I am in recovery from an eating disorder and alcoholism and I believe this has allowed me to become more caring and compassionate. I am no longer self seeking and angry at the world and the people around me. I am coming closer to God each day and he is opening my eyes and heart to true love and kindness. So today I choose to act not impulsively but kindly.
My goal is to be a light to the strangers that I encounter today. I hope that you will do just the same. Think of ways in which you can go out of your way for others and even for people you don’t know. Feel free to post your suggestions and experiences. Even a simple “hello” to somebody can turn someone’s day around for the better. Again you just don’t know what type of battle they are currently fighting. Take me for instance. You can’t look at me and know that I am a recovering alcoholic and anorexic but I am. So be careful what you say to people and try not to make judgments or even disrespectful comments. Who are we to bring down the spirits of another? Jesus Christ was persecuted and crucified for our sins for he had none. Jesus delivered us from sin and evil through the greatest act of kindness ever recorded in history. He gave his life for us so that we could live. So I will say again; who are we to judge and belittle others?
We are all beautiful creations of God and we are all experiencing the highs and lows in the journey of life. So I say let’s be a friend to those around us and build each other up, instead of tearing each other down. The choices you make today have the power to save someone else’s life tomorrow. Be the kindness in the world today. You have the power to brighten and alter the life of someone else today for the better but you also have the power to tear someone a part. I am choosing to act in kindness and am reaching out to love and support others. I pray that you will do the same!
A simple smile has the power to bring happiness into the lives of a stranger. Be kind, and God Bless!
Live Strong,
Patrick
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
- Plato
I read this quote early this morning and posted it to the I Chose To Live fan page. It really spoke to my heart. I love to write but I tend to only write when I feel inspired from the depths of my heart. This is one of these times. This quote is so simple but has such power in its meaning. Life is truly a battlefield everyday and every second. There will be times where you feel like you are on top of the world and times when you feel like you just want to give up. Of course there will also be those in between times as well. I have experienced all of these peaks and valleys in life and I truly believe there is no greater human power on this earth than the simple act of “kindness.”
This quote also reminded me of my parents because I was always told to be kind to strangers because you really have no idea what’s going on in their life. How true is this?? So true!! Let me give you a quick example. Say you go out for a nice dinner and your server is grumpy and messes up your order. Should you bash them and make them feel miserable? Some people would probably say yes and I see this happen all the time. Try thinking about the server and what they might be going through. They might have just experienced a great loss or might be dealing with a personal struggle. You just really don’t know. This is where a simple act of kindness comes in. Instead of blowing up on the server, next time, try being friendly and leave a nice tip. I have done this many times and you will leave feeling so much better. I can also guarantee that you made that servers day.
Everyone is human and nobody is perfect and we are all seeking approval, acceptance, love and happiness. This is a crazy world we live in and sometimes we just make it worse by being biter, rude, selfish, inconsiderate and angry. I am just as guilty as the next person but I am trying to change on a daily basis. I am in recovery from an eating disorder and alcoholism and I believe this has allowed me to become more caring and compassionate. I am no longer self seeking and angry at the world and the people around me. I am coming closer to God each day and he is opening my eyes and heart to true love and kindness. So today I choose to act not impulsively but kindly.
My goal is to be a light to the strangers that I encounter today. I hope that you will do just the same. Think of ways in which you can go out of your way for others and even for people you don’t know. Feel free to post your suggestions and experiences. Even a simple “hello” to somebody can turn someone’s day around for the better. Again you just don’t know what type of battle they are currently fighting. Take me for instance. You can’t look at me and know that I am a recovering alcoholic and anorexic but I am. So be careful what you say to people and try not to make judgments or even disrespectful comments. Who are we to bring down the spirits of another? Jesus Christ was persecuted and crucified for our sins for he had none. Jesus delivered us from sin and evil through the greatest act of kindness ever recorded in history. He gave his life for us so that we could live. So I will say again; who are we to judge and belittle others?
We are all beautiful creations of God and we are all experiencing the highs and lows in the journey of life. So I say let’s be a friend to those around us and build each other up, instead of tearing each other down. The choices you make today have the power to save someone else’s life tomorrow. Be the kindness in the world today. You have the power to brighten and alter the life of someone else today for the better but you also have the power to tear someone a part. I am choosing to act in kindness and am reaching out to love and support others. I pray that you will do the same!
A simple smile has the power to bring happiness into the lives of a stranger. Be kind, and God Bless!
Live Strong,
Patrick
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Believe and Acheive
Believing in Yourself Daily
This inspiring quote by Jack Canfield really got my heart and mind firing today!
"Self-esteem is a huge piece of my work. You have to believe it's possible and believe in yourself. Because after you've decided what you want, you have to believe it's possible and possible for you, not just for other people. Then you need to seek out models, mentors, and coaches."
I got so pumped up in letting things go and believing in myself. I kicked off the day with a nice healthy breakfast and then went for a nice jog in the sun. Wow, did this feel amazing. When I am out running my mind and spirit feel so alive and free. This is my time to speak to God and to enjoy all of his magnificent creations. You should really think about this and set aside a time and activity where you connect with God and just let it all out-- it’s so powerful and freeing.
I think this quote is perfect for those in recovery or anyone who might be going through a struggling situation in their life right now. It talks about self-esteem, believing in yourself, and seeking out others to help you accomplish and achieve your goals. So let’s first tackle the topic of self-esteem which everyone seems to struggle with including myself.
Self-esteem is defined as a realistic respect for or favorable impression of oneself; self-respect. So it’s basically feeling good about you! If you’re like me, I tend to be my worst enemy and critic. I always seem to be so hard on myself when I make mistakes or don’t accomplish something I set out to do. Okay, this needs to change and if you do this to yourself as well, jump on board and let’s start believing we are truly awesome spirit beings. This reminded of Philippians 4:13 which states; “we can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.” Amen to this and that’s exactly what Jack Canfields quote is saying. We can do all things but we have to believe!
God also puts people and places in our lives to help support and guide us such as mentors, or coaches like the quote states. I have recently added an accountability partner to do a daily bible study and have a workout partner to help train me as well. I don’t know everything and I need to seek the wisdom of others. This is also a good way to build your belief in yourself and to gain courage to face every life choice and situation.
I am now realizing that by believing in “Patrick” and not criticizing myself, I am becoming happier and more confident in life and recovery. If I wake up saying my life stinks and I am a failure, well most likely I am going to be miserable and accomplish nothing. We need to stop feeding ourselves these stupid lies! Instead, I am going to start out each day with positive affirmations to pick myself up. When I do this, I feel so much better and the day just becomes something I look forward too. So let’s start building ourselves up daily and letting our lights shine for the whole world to see.
Here is a short list of affirmations I came up with and use;
• I am an awesome spirit being
• I am deeply loved by God
• There will never be another like me in the history of mankind
• I am a beautiful creation
• I control my attitude today and choose to smile and be happy
• I will live in faith and not fear
• I have gifts, talents and things to offer
• I am an OVERCOMER
These are just a few simple affirmations that motivate me. You can simply google it and find tons of websites that offer more extensive lists of affirmations. You can also make up your own. Be creative and start off the day with a smile and a huge boost of faith. Self-love or self-esteem is one of the key factors in living a happy and healthy life and recovery. If you believe in yourself, life’s difficult choices become easier and you start to make the right decisions because you have a positive mindset. So the message for today is to simply love who you are, and be who you are in this very moment. What people say has no bearing on who you are and what you can accomplish. You are the captain of your own ship so set sail today and be free. Remember, the choices we make today map out what course our lives will take in the coming days so let’s believe we can, and do the next right thing.
God Bless,
Patrick
This inspiring quote by Jack Canfield really got my heart and mind firing today!
"Self-esteem is a huge piece of my work. You have to believe it's possible and believe in yourself. Because after you've decided what you want, you have to believe it's possible and possible for you, not just for other people. Then you need to seek out models, mentors, and coaches."
I got so pumped up in letting things go and believing in myself. I kicked off the day with a nice healthy breakfast and then went for a nice jog in the sun. Wow, did this feel amazing. When I am out running my mind and spirit feel so alive and free. This is my time to speak to God and to enjoy all of his magnificent creations. You should really think about this and set aside a time and activity where you connect with God and just let it all out-- it’s so powerful and freeing.
I think this quote is perfect for those in recovery or anyone who might be going through a struggling situation in their life right now. It talks about self-esteem, believing in yourself, and seeking out others to help you accomplish and achieve your goals. So let’s first tackle the topic of self-esteem which everyone seems to struggle with including myself.
Self-esteem is defined as a realistic respect for or favorable impression of oneself; self-respect. So it’s basically feeling good about you! If you’re like me, I tend to be my worst enemy and critic. I always seem to be so hard on myself when I make mistakes or don’t accomplish something I set out to do. Okay, this needs to change and if you do this to yourself as well, jump on board and let’s start believing we are truly awesome spirit beings. This reminded of Philippians 4:13 which states; “we can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.” Amen to this and that’s exactly what Jack Canfields quote is saying. We can do all things but we have to believe!
God also puts people and places in our lives to help support and guide us such as mentors, or coaches like the quote states. I have recently added an accountability partner to do a daily bible study and have a workout partner to help train me as well. I don’t know everything and I need to seek the wisdom of others. This is also a good way to build your belief in yourself and to gain courage to face every life choice and situation.
I am now realizing that by believing in “Patrick” and not criticizing myself, I am becoming happier and more confident in life and recovery. If I wake up saying my life stinks and I am a failure, well most likely I am going to be miserable and accomplish nothing. We need to stop feeding ourselves these stupid lies! Instead, I am going to start out each day with positive affirmations to pick myself up. When I do this, I feel so much better and the day just becomes something I look forward too. So let’s start building ourselves up daily and letting our lights shine for the whole world to see.
Here is a short list of affirmations I came up with and use;
• I am an awesome spirit being
• I am deeply loved by God
• There will never be another like me in the history of mankind
• I am a beautiful creation
• I control my attitude today and choose to smile and be happy
• I will live in faith and not fear
• I have gifts, talents and things to offer
• I am an OVERCOMER
These are just a few simple affirmations that motivate me. You can simply google it and find tons of websites that offer more extensive lists of affirmations. You can also make up your own. Be creative and start off the day with a smile and a huge boost of faith. Self-love or self-esteem is one of the key factors in living a happy and healthy life and recovery. If you believe in yourself, life’s difficult choices become easier and you start to make the right decisions because you have a positive mindset. So the message for today is to simply love who you are, and be who you are in this very moment. What people say has no bearing on who you are and what you can accomplish. You are the captain of your own ship so set sail today and be free. Remember, the choices we make today map out what course our lives will take in the coming days so let’s believe we can, and do the next right thing.
God Bless,
Patrick
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The Journey to a New Beginning
Welcome to Life’s Healing Choices: The Mind, Body and Spirit.
Hello, my name is Patrick Bergstrom and I am a 27 year old former college lacrosse player and 2005 graduate in recovery from a horrific battle with an eating disorder and substance abuse (alcoholism). My alcohol use started back in high school and really didn’t escalate out of control until more or less after college. My eating disorder developed in the middle of college and spanned over 4 painful years. I have been in treatment for both my eating disorder and for alcoholism. The recovery process from anorexia has been strong and very successful but the alcohol abuse is another story. I seem to slip back every once in awhile but I am seeking a full recovery and bountiful life.
I could bore you with my longwinded life story, experiences, failures, and successes but where I have been really isn’t issue. The mission here is to start fresh on this day, June 30, 2010 by healing the mind, body and spirit through nutrition, healthy living, spirituality and fitness. I will address recovery, relationships and everyday life situations I face both good and bad on this exciting voyage to create and new and healthy life free of self-destruction.
The life we live each day is directly correlated to the daily choices we make. While on my morning jog this morning I had an epiphany realizing that for the ladder part of my life I have been running from every choice imaginable. Even some of life’s simple decisions I have seemed to avoid or flee from. The goal of this website or blog is not to share about my past but to take you through the journey of my life and recovery from this moment forward. There is simply nothing I can do about the choices I made yesterday, last week or even last year. I can’t change them but I can however learn from them, never forget them but forgiving them, and use them to make beneficial decisions in the present and future.
I believe that this quote by Mary Pickford sums it all up;
“If you have made mistakes...there is always another chance for you...you may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down.”
This is my chance for life, recovery and redemption. I am done running from my life and the everyday choices that occur. I need to tap into the Holy Spirit power and utilize the resources available in my life to strengthen my mind, body, and spirit. (fitness, cooking healthy, nutrition, prayer and meditation) I am fortunate to have a family in the healthy cooking industry and friends in the fitness and nutrition sector so there will also be other professionals sharing their insight on living well. You can look forward to reading my personal experiences, others in recovery, and tips from professionals in various health fields.
I am building a fresh and sturdy foundation through Jesus Christ, and I am done with mundane living. Now is the time for me to live, serve and be free. By worldly principles I would be described as a male anorexic alcoholic athlete but by Jesus Christ my Savior; I am an awesome spirit being! Today I choose to no longer listen or live by these superficial unpractical worldly standards. Again, my name is Patrick and this is my journey to renew my mind, body, and spirit through everyday simple healing life choices. I hope you will join me on this exciting new beginning.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
God Bless,
Patrick Bergstrom
If you feel so compelled to learn more about me and where I have been and plan to go then please feel free to visit my recovery website I Chose To Live at www.ichosetolive.com
Hello, my name is Patrick Bergstrom and I am a 27 year old former college lacrosse player and 2005 graduate in recovery from a horrific battle with an eating disorder and substance abuse (alcoholism). My alcohol use started back in high school and really didn’t escalate out of control until more or less after college. My eating disorder developed in the middle of college and spanned over 4 painful years. I have been in treatment for both my eating disorder and for alcoholism. The recovery process from anorexia has been strong and very successful but the alcohol abuse is another story. I seem to slip back every once in awhile but I am seeking a full recovery and bountiful life.
I could bore you with my longwinded life story, experiences, failures, and successes but where I have been really isn’t issue. The mission here is to start fresh on this day, June 30, 2010 by healing the mind, body and spirit through nutrition, healthy living, spirituality and fitness. I will address recovery, relationships and everyday life situations I face both good and bad on this exciting voyage to create and new and healthy life free of self-destruction.
The life we live each day is directly correlated to the daily choices we make. While on my morning jog this morning I had an epiphany realizing that for the ladder part of my life I have been running from every choice imaginable. Even some of life’s simple decisions I have seemed to avoid or flee from. The goal of this website or blog is not to share about my past but to take you through the journey of my life and recovery from this moment forward. There is simply nothing I can do about the choices I made yesterday, last week or even last year. I can’t change them but I can however learn from them, never forget them but forgiving them, and use them to make beneficial decisions in the present and future.
I believe that this quote by Mary Pickford sums it all up;
“If you have made mistakes...there is always another chance for you...you may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call "failure" is not the falling down, but the staying down.”
This is my chance for life, recovery and redemption. I am done running from my life and the everyday choices that occur. I need to tap into the Holy Spirit power and utilize the resources available in my life to strengthen my mind, body, and spirit. (fitness, cooking healthy, nutrition, prayer and meditation) I am fortunate to have a family in the healthy cooking industry and friends in the fitness and nutrition sector so there will also be other professionals sharing their insight on living well. You can look forward to reading my personal experiences, others in recovery, and tips from professionals in various health fields.
I am building a fresh and sturdy foundation through Jesus Christ, and I am done with mundane living. Now is the time for me to live, serve and be free. By worldly principles I would be described as a male anorexic alcoholic athlete but by Jesus Christ my Savior; I am an awesome spirit being! Today I choose to no longer listen or live by these superficial unpractical worldly standards. Again, my name is Patrick and this is my journey to renew my mind, body, and spirit through everyday simple healing life choices. I hope you will join me on this exciting new beginning.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
God Bless,
Patrick Bergstrom
If you feel so compelled to learn more about me and where I have been and plan to go then please feel free to visit my recovery website I Chose To Live at www.ichosetolive.com
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