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

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