I just finished Gabrielle Bernstein’s course Finally Full, a course all about the connection between spirituality and food. In this short course, she shares a different perspective on how to approach food and it strongly resonated with me.
It has even shifted the way I’ve been approaching food lately. Yes, even as an intuitive eater for years and even as a health coach I’m continuously learning more about myself and what serves me best (so remember there’s not a moment where we stop learning about our bodies and everything is perfect).
I want to share with you what shifted in me and share a few powerful insights that I know will make a difference for you too.
Just a little insight, Gabrielle Bernstein once struggled with alcohol, drug addiction and binge eating. In her course, she talks about how having an unhealthy relationship with food is cutting off our connection to spirit, the universe, our higher selves, or God. It’s cutting off our connection to our intuition, inner guidance or inner wisdom.
Now why is this so important? Having access to your inner guidance connects you to your life’s purpose and it gives you the power to manifest your dreams. Yes, that means calling in the one, getting your dream job, being able to feel happy every day. If that isn’t enough to motivate you, I don’t know what is!
So why does having an unhealthy relationship with food cut off your connection to your intuition?
Obsessing over food (counting calories, points, analyzing our food choices, feeling guilty) is all a cover up. . . it’s just a way to ignore what our inner guidance is really telling us.
Just like obsessing over what you eat, mindlessly eating, emotionally eating, and binge eating are ways of avoiding having to deal with or feel emotions and thoughts that maybe aren’t so pleasant. The thing is those emotions are actually very valuable to you, they are a sign or signal that something is off balance or out of alignment for you.
They are the exact way you need to grow or transform that would leave you with the power to manifest your dreams.
When you find yourself obsessing over food or mindlessly shoving food in your mouth, it’s your opportunity to stop and ask yourself:
What do I REALLY need right now?
Is it comfort, rest, love, relaxation, self-care, a good friend, to talk with someone, to do something fun? Because you know it’s not food. Food has just become the mechanism for controlling yourself when you feel out of control. It’s one thing YOU have complete control over; how much goes in or stays out.
It could be asking yourself, what is happening in my life right now and what am I supposed to do about it?
Maybe you need to start exploring new jobs, making new friends, ending or starting a new relationship. What is your body telling you to do?
Our emotions, changes, or illness in our bodies are an indication that something needs to be paid attention to.
What are you not honoring that your body or heart is telling you to do?
Take a close look at your relationship with food, what is your obsession with food really about? Is it a form of control?
What is the binge or mindless eating really about? Is it because you’re lonely or feel guilty about something?
How can you address that problem powerfully, rather than using food?
More on this in the coming weeks!
Xoxo,
Marisa