Geneen Roth - I have always been comfortable with my weight. I have pretty much always been exactly as I am. I have been progressively and intensively working on my diet, eating healthier every step of the way for over 15 years. I have adjusted my exercise routine, even up to 5 days a week, 90 + minutes, added weight training and a personal trainer and have never seen results. But Geneen Roth, in writing about the emotional and spiritual side of eating, has made a breakthrough. Not that its changed my appearance, but I feel completely free of control food has over me. I don't need it or want it as a friend, and the attachment to my emotions has honestly been broken. It feels so amazing to just enjoy food without shame, regret, or compulsion. And to most importantly just feel happy and healthy and to know that I am beautiful. If you struggle at all with food, your self image, or if something perhaps happened to you in the past that you may still hold onto, even subconsciously, please do read "Women, Food and God" because its not really about women, food or God, and yet it is, and it will change your life.
David Sedaris - I just can't seem to read his books fast enough! I love his style, and humor, and sensitivity, his honesty and perspective. It reminds me of myself, which nudges me toward sitting down and writing things out when they happen. So expect more of that! And hope life happens enough around me to give me some good practice material.
Jay Bakker - I don't feel I ever realized how simple grace is. My name means "full of grace" and I feel like my life mission is to learn and exhibit true grace. But I always feel like I need a special clause at the end of it because people are so unused to being loved, complimented, accepted, helped, unconditionally with no strings attached. Just love people! Just forgive people. Just go do the things God asks you to do. Its so easy it feels almost wrong. I'm almost done reading the book and I have this desire to just go out and put it to practice. Not for any kind of benefit, just to spread a little more kindness to the world and to react better when its not received well. There was just that little bit of selfishness, that tiny bit of me left under it all. To be liked, to be appreciated, to be respected. To help others understand I'm not like normal Christians, and its ok to not fit in. Because there is room for all of us. Because God's love is that big and that real. Read "Fall to Grace". Really understand it. Because its not about who we should accept into the fold or what horrible things we have done or who you voted for in the last election. Its about us loving people and truly understanding just how much God loves us, period.
So I've been reading a lot, thinking even more, and trying to put these ideas into practice. But mostly I have just been excited about this new season in my life, where I can just be free and easy not bear the weight of it all anymore.
