How self-acceptance can lead to positive change

At a recent business meeting I was inspired by a story shared with me by Sandy Dale of www.sandyssolutions.co.uk .  I was struck by her honesty and the dramatic benefit she described.  She summarised beautifully how quickly and easily our minds and our behaviour can change, when we let go of ideas or beliefs which no longer serve us.  Thank you Sandy for sharing this story.

"On New Years Eve I was at a party and we were all getting ready to sing at midnight.  One of our group was on her mobile. I told her to get off it and come over and she said "No, family comes first!". Well I was quite hurt and a bit upset when she said it.  She knows I don’t have any family.  I continued the evening without thinking about it much, although I was aware it was sitting there in the back of my mind. I woke up the next morning and realised my brain had obviously been working on that phrase overnight - and it was like a switch had been hit.  I felt different.  I realised, I am different from other people.  For the first time in my life I felt like I accepted that, and loved myself for who I am.

There are lots of ways I'm different.  I’m an only child with no family.  I’ve never had children.  I’m a ‘leftie’ (left handed).  I don't drink tea, coffee or alcohol.  And I love being on my own.  That's just a few things, but with all of them, and others, I am unique. And I am now proud of that too! 

I had been a comfort eater for most of my life and never really found out why I was putting on weight, then dieting to get rid of it. Well the switch my brain hit meant I realised why I was a comfort eater! I had been trying to live like the rest of the world when I should have been enjoying my individual personality.  Since I had that brain switch, I have completely stopped comfort eating. I have lost 22 pounds since 1st January, just eating sensibly and never having a craving for cake, chocolate or anything unhealthy. Food is not the most important thing in my life now, which means I will eventually be a healthy weight. That's all thanks to one comment from a friend, and my brain processing it the right way!”

If you’ve been inspired by this story or have any questions, please let us know.  Sandy works to empower mature or disabled people through her beautiful business Sandy’s Solutions www.sandyssolutions.co.uk