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
