"How I Am Feeding My Love Of Life"

by Sheryl Sorrentino

I feed my love of life each day by refusing to overeat. I am a food addict, which is no different than being a drug addict, alcoholic, or any other type of addict—other than the fact that people don’t understand it. They think I am being silly when I refuse to go to such-and-such party or restaurant because I’ve painstakingly worked out my food plan for that day, and the holiday potluck or all-you-can-eat buffet does not fit within my goal.

While some people don’t put much thought or effort into staying trim and fit, for me, it is a daily exercise that requires time, effort and vigilance. I plan low-fat meals in advance, log my daily food intake on a computer program, and run 4-1/2 miles five mornings a week (when I am not lifting weights or doing yoga). Since I am not one of those people who can wake up in the morning and simply eat what she fancies that day, I must use my only effective tool against the constant lure of food, which is to make a daily diet and exercise plan, and then stick to it.

My husband and daughter think I am an obsessive health nut, but my efforts have paid off. After being overweight my entire life, in my forties I finally managed to lose 40-plus pounds and maintain that weight loss for the past several years. Still, temptation abounds: Impromptu lunch invitations from friends and clients; bowls of Halloween candy on desks and store counters; the irresistible Two-for-One special at the local donut shop. Even in my own home, I must stare down my husband and daughter while they indulge in desserts of ice cream and cookies.

Fortunately, I have discovered the joy of writing. Writing has helped enormously in my effort to manage my weight. After all, one cannot munch mindlessly on potato chips while typing on a computer. But more significantly, I now realize that years of consuming too much food soothed and distracted me from deeper issues surrounding a troubled childhood. Writing is a wonderful way to process my observations and clear my emotional pipeline each day; it nurtures and fills me to the brim like no food ever could. Gorging may feel good for a minute, but smothering my thoughts and feelings with excess calories extinguishes my creative spark. And even the richest, most delicious food cannot compete with the joy of hearing someone say that my writing has moved them, or simply made them laugh.

I don’t know that I’ll ever truly overcome my food addiction, but I am committed to consciously keeping it in check with dogged tenacity, daily mindfulness, and writing. Overeating is ultimately a soul-depleting pastime, whereas writing is an artistic and joyful endeavor. Besides, eating too much and carrying around extra weight threatens my health and well-being, and preserving the blessing of good health is my Number One priority. After all, I’ve got a wonderful husband and beautiful daughter to consider. I intend to stick around and nag them about their eating habits for a very long time.

(Sheryl recently appeared as a guest on Conversations LIVE. Listen to the interview here.)

"How I Am Feeding My Love Of Life" by Elaine Williams

"Having struggled with food, drug and alcohol addictions since age 12, I personally know the pain and hurt in can cause in oneself and in family and friends. I am 11 years sober!! And my personal mission in life is to help break down barriers between classes and cultures through thought provoking, enlightening, and transforming theatre, writing, and comedy.

 

"My projects deal with people embracing their humanity, questioning their beliefs, and broadening their own perspectives and horizons, and therefore causing audiences to engage in this process as well.

 

"I have just published my first book, Stop the Madness: How to Identify Addiction Warning Signs in your Friends… and What to do About It, in hopes to help people recognize the dangers of abuse, but also open a dialogue where people can get help and realize they are not alone. I've also released a Meditation CD and workbook to accompany the book and really help people take those first steps in healing.

 

"My commitment is to be a part of the global shift of raising the world's consciousness. By constantly embracing my own creativity and compassion, I am giving others the permission to raise their own spirit and engage in higher frequencies of thought, energy, light, and flow."

 

Elaine Williams, author/comedian/speaker

Discover more about Elaine at www.elainewilliamslive.com.

Patrick Dati: A Survivor Feeding His Love Of Life

After being abused at the age of 9 by a serial killer and keeping it a secret, Patrick Dati has now broken his silence and written a memoir about the abuse and bullying he endured from an older brother throughout his childhood and adult life.

The memoir is also a torturous coming out story of a man raised in the midst of a devout Catholic family whose members he loved and spent years trying to please by realizing their dreams for him. He attempted suicide twice, and found freedom and himself one day in three simple words: “I have survived."

When asked how he is feeding his love of life as a survivor and helping others in the process, he answers this way: "By showing other victims of child abuse and bullying how I have gotten through my depression from my trauma and prove to them that they can survivor as well. Life does get better."

Find out more about Patrick and his book at http://youandmecanstopbullies.com/

How Laura Pallatin Feeds Her Love Of Life

"Through my company, LaBelle Mariposa, I offer products which facilitate and
support personal growth and transformation. My book, Walk in Your Own
Footsteps, is a practical guidebook for designing the life the reader truly
wants to live. The 30 snack-sized chapters provide tools for finding what
they love to do, carving out time to make it happen, and set boundaries to
protect their time and energy. I also offer inspirational cards, a Guided
Visualization CD as well as original inspirational art and pendants. 

"While helping other people find their passion and life's purpose is an
important part of my life, so is using my own life to help others
one-on-one. I try to look for opportunities to help people every day. We can
make an impact by offering to help in the most obvious ways sometimes. Even
by simply holding a door open for another person, or listening when someone
needs to share a problem (right when they need it) can be very powerful. I
find that making time to be of service to others is vital to feeling
fulfilled and helping others at the same time."

Blessings,
Laura Pallatin
www.LaBelleMariposa.com
www.LauraPallatin.com

Feedback From Guests Further Validates Conversations LIVE!'s Purpose

Feedback From Radio Show Guests Further Validates Conversations LIVE!'s Purpose

For Mississippi native Cyrus Webb, host and creator of Conversations LIVE, the popular radio show has never been about him. He knew from the very first show in July 2003 that the platform was that of the people, and his purpose is to honor that with each and every guest. Whether it is a Pulitzer-Prize winning author, television celebrity or someone who is on the rise in their profession, the 36 year old treats them all with the same dignity that he feels as though they deserve.

Over the years Webb has been praised because of the people he brings on the show, but for him it is the feedback from the guests themselves that really lets him know that he has achived his goal and given the audience the best of himself and those with whom he converses.

Recently after interviewing author Steven Janke (The Kykuit Bunker) Webb received this note:


"Thank you so much for having me on your show tonight. I had a great time talking to you about my book, and am thankful that you invited me to share my work and ideas with your listeners. To be honest, I was nervous at first, but your interview style and kind, welcoming demeanor provided a very warm environment that allowed me to feel comfortable during the interview. I can tell that you are a great listener by your follow-up questions to my responses, but I can also tell that you have a very friendly personality.

"I was thinking about a question you asked me regarding what I felt like when I first started getting positive feedback about my book. After giving that some more thought, I wanted to let you know that aside from having relatives and friends provide positive feedback, and people that I met online whom I don't know personally give me similar feedback, that it wasn't until your show contacted my publicist, Kevin, about coming on and talking about my book did I truly feel that I had accomplished something of tangible value. It's receiving feedback from someone like yourself, a person who I imagine reads countless books in a year, with only a finite number of interview spaces to consider when doing a show, when I have actually felt an incredible sense of pride for having written this book. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for anyone who reads, or has read, my book, because I am appreciative of the time they spent to read it, but it wasn't until I had a chance to get on your program and share my story not only with you personally, but also with your listener base, that I finally felt that I had made it past just being another local author up here in Minnesota. You have made me feel very welcomed in the community of authors, reviewers, hosts, and entertainment in general, and that welcoming feeling is something that I wish I would have thought of when we were talking, to share my appreciation for you, to your listeners.

"As a result of that feeling, I am glad that you were the person who conducted what is actually my very first book interview. I hope that I continue to get to meet people along the way and share my story with more and more people, but I can't imagine meeting and interacting with a kinder person than yourself. Thanks again for everything, and I would welcome any opportunity to have another chance to speak with you on your program. Take care. --Steven Janke"

The sentiment shared by Janke online were mirrored by Cathy Jo, author of Transitions in this email:


"How beautifully put! Steven's sentiments echo my own. I had actually
listened to several of your interviews beforehand, just to familiarize
myself with your interview style. Listening to your voice took some of the
edginess away. And what Steven said about his moment of clarity is true for
me as well. I couldn't believe that someone with merit wanted to read my
book, let alone interview me about it! And then to give me a glowing
review--I was literally in shock. Usually, I'm shock-proof. As Steven said,
you are truly a great listener! That's a lost art today. Many people,
especially in your line of work, don't listen when others talk, they're
simply waiting for their turn to speak. You truly do possess a gift and it
has served you well!

"Again, Cyrus, thank you for the opportunity to be on your show and to talk
about my book. Your interview will definitely be one of the greatest
highlights in my literary career."

For Webb this is further validation that as Conversations LIVE continues to progress and grow that as long as it sticks with the formula of making the guest and the audience the priority it will continue to thrive. Listen to the interviews with the authors mentioned above at this link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2011/08/18/authors-steven-janke-and-cathy-jo-on-conversations-live


To stay connected with what's next for Conversations LIVE, visit www.conversationsliveradio.com. Want to be considered as a guest or advertise with the show? Contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

PROFILE: Nancy Alvarez

"I am a glass half full type of woman, but a few years ago I contracted a urinary tract infection that lasted over five months, which utterly altered the self I had always known.  For the first time in my life it became difficult to rise in the morning.  One day I was walking upstairs from couch to bed, since sitting was impossible, and noticed a childhood picture of myself on the wall.  Thinking, 'I wish I could get her back,' I continued on my way and then stopped.  Without pause, I walked into my office and sat down at my desk to write a letter to that joyous, curious, creative little girl. The pain had become irrelevant. That letter to 'little Nancy' was the beginning of a journey that not only examined my life, from my earliest memories to the move to the tiny earthy/crunchy town I moved to on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, but brought her back into my life full force.  During the writing I not only found that lost part of myself, but discovered all the ways I had tried to bury her over the years and why.  I made a commitment to keep her alive because she is the best of me, my heart, my soul, my creativity, and my joy. "At the suggestion of three female colleagues, who didn't have editing suggestions for me because they were so consumed by the memories that surfaced for them because of reading the manuscript.  We shared those memories with one another for hours on the day we were supposed to meet to talk about the book, and whether I should try to offer it in book form to other women.  Before they left, one of the them suggested I add a chapter-by-chapter workbook to the memoir and begin to offer workshops with the book/workbook as a guide locally.  The depth of the conversations that ensued has been unbelievably life-affirming for both me and the women who have had the courage to share their stories with me and one another. From those workshops a new website was born, as well as an e-book, weekly blogging, workshops in more far-reaching places, and an offer to blog for the Huffington Post.  Needless to say, I no longer dread getting out of bed.  Because I was open to where life was leading me, I have discovered a new relish for life and what it is offering me: connection with self, and with women I never would have met otherwise.  It has been a marvelous adventure thus far, the ride far from over. I welcome what is still to come with wonder at my good fortune." Nancy Alvarez http://www.nancyalvarezwrites.com info@nancyalvarezwrites.com

(SPECIAL) "How I Feed My Love Of LIfe"

by Faina Sechzer of www.gettingwelllivingbig.com

I feed my love of live by making sure I get a daily "yes" answer to the four most important questions and pillars in my life:

 

1.  Did I love fully?

2.  Did I do what I love?

3.  Did I live healthy?

4.  Did I build legacy?

 

I devised these questions after my breast cancer diagnosis on 2009. Facing my own mortality and questioning my life and impact on the world, I felt the urgency for loving and making the most of my life going forward.

 

These are some of the specific ways I re-designed my life path to feed my love of life.

 

Loving fully

 

This is the most important of the four pillars. I make a priority to love myself.  Despite the prevailing view that selfishness is a negative trait I view loving myself as positive and necessary part of loving life.

 

Having achieved great professional and financial success, I gave up the pursuit of perfection and numerical results as definitions of success. l love myself for my essence, which is not defined by my job, money or other outside measures.

 

The unloved self could not give much to others. I love others by not judging and accepting each person as they are -understanding that we all are products of our childhood, genes and life experiences.  When I gave up perfectionism from myself, I stop being extra demanding of others.

 

I make sure I spend time with people who are important to me.

 

I express gratitude daily to those I give love and those who give me love, but I don't expect reciprocity. I love because it feels good to me.

 

Doing what I love

 

I loved a lot about what I did before, but the priority was to achieve professional and financial success. For example, my demanding job left little energy and time to travel, which is one of my passions.

 

I received my MSEE at the age of 22, only to find out that I absolutely hate engineering, having pursued this degree because that's what people said I should do, given my math abilities. Thankfully, I was smart then to course correct, and find careers I enjoyed better.

 

Not until my post cancer decision to feed my love of life, did I completely switched professions. I am now a Health & Life Recovery Coach helping feed the love of their lives for woman cancer survivors and those facing major life challenges.

 

The skeptic in me didn't relate to those saying they "found their calling". Yet, this is exactly what I feel now for the first time in my life.

 

I travel -and recently, with some trepidation and uncertainty about my physical strength, I took a trip around the world.

 

Reading and learning for me are as food and water are for others. I probably learned more in the last two years, then in the 16 years of my formal education.

 

I dance just for the pure pleasure of moving my body.

 

I find time to meditate twice a day, something I thought only the 60's hippies do.

 

 

 

Living Healthy

 

I now firmly believe in the mind body connection and take care of both with utmost care.

 

I always belonged to an organized religion. But only after discovering my internal spirituality, I understand it's impact on my health. I allocate time to practice my spirituality with the same importance as healthy eating and exercise.

 

Most of my life was the life of stress. You can't feed your love of life when you are stressed. Finding peace of mind is one way I feed my love of life.

 

Being in a place that is nurturing helps reduce our energy drains - I make my home and office places I feel good to be in. I love water and am planning for being on the water more, giving the constraints of my husband's career.

 

 

Building Legacy

 

Feeding my love of life would be leaving dessert out of the menu without building impacting other lives that need what you can give.

 

I offer free workshops, talks, newsletter and participate in the community of women cancer survivors. When I help even women, I feed my love of life a great meal and am thrilled to know the world is a better place for them.

 

My dream is to help women to live healthy and happy lives and being masters of their destiny. I have a plan for making this dream a reality for those who want it.