Bulimia: A Series on Food and Eating IV

I interviewed Liz DeHaven, who was bulimic during her younger years. Most of us can identify with Liz, doing something we thought was smart, at first, only to find out later it was self-destructive. Bulimia was Liz’s secret until she realized she had the God-given ability to face the bulimia and put it behind her.

Me. Did you have a weight problem in your younger years? Liz. No. After High School the goal to become a model stuck in my mind and because body size is stressed with modeling, my best friend told me throwing up my food would keep me thinner than I was already. I think back and wonder why I thought throwing up my food was a good idea. I can reason through the fact that my mom was in the midst of her 2nd divorce and the bulimia was a sign that I no longer could stomach life. But, that didn’t give me the energy to finally admit throwing up is a twisted idea of control.

Me. At what point did the bulimia become out of control? Liz. Exactly at the point I thought I was in control, in other words, it became out of control once I started doing it because I was really good at it. I had “control” and made myself throw up for 5 years. But, my “being in control” was a lack of spiritual self-control.

Me. When did you realize you needed help? Liz. After 5 years I realized I could not stop myself from throwing up. And, I met another friend, a recovering drug addict, who suggested I join Overeaters Anonymous. I gladly attended the meetings because they acknowledge God and found another person to sponsor me. I did try psycho-therapy, but it didn’t work.

Me. Do you turn to God? Liz. Yes, I pray every day to God. However, my prayers change. When I was bulimic, I prayed for my teeth and stomach to remain healthy, and they did. Then I prayed for the strength to learn how to eat again and not obsess over what to eat. It took me 2 years, on and off, to stop throwing up.

Me. Do you eat healthy foods now? Liz. Yes, at first I kept my eating simple, I was even a vegetarian for 7 years, now I eat what I feel drawn to eat. I limit my sugar and alcohol intake, and I pray not to beat myself up if I eat a candy bar! 

Me. Are you an energetic person? Liz. I am a very energetic person. My life is always uncovering new spiritual growth, as I get past one hurdle, there is another hurdle in a different area. Food isn’t an issue now, however, I am learning to be wise with my mental energy, to share it appropriately with other people so we don’t drain one another, but help one another. And, I love to surround myself with humor!

Liz and some of her artwork

 

Liz in her Jewelry Shop

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Handle Serpents as an Eagle

Most people are startled by snakes, or are at least given the creeps. Including myself. It probably has to do with the collective mentality setting up snakes as lurking evil. In the Bible, there is a story about Moses who had a staff and was told to throw it down on the ground. Moses did. The staff turned into a serpent. Moses was scared. However, he was then told to pick up the serpent. Moses did. The snake turned back into a staff.

A staff is something we lean on. A support. A tool to help us in our daily work. But the staff can’t be leaned on so heavily that it becomes deformed and useless. A staff also can’t be guarded and horded so closely that we neglect to use it properly.

Staffs come in a plethora of forms. They can be books, social status, economic schedules, diets, time, and so on.

We do not need to fear casting down our staffs. Because we do not need to fear the serpents. A snake is defined in Science and Health as subtle deceit, a lie. And, lies will grow, and bite, and sting, if truth is not known and acted on.

As revisionist of Mary Baker Eddy’s Science and Health, I had to learn this lesson. A few of the staffs I leaned on were: 1) the book Science and Health; 2) a moral lifestyle; 3) church membership.

When I threw these staffs down, a glaring nest of serpents surprised me, lies such as: 1) Science and Health is not to be revised; 2) an immoral lifestyle disallows spiritual healing; 3) the church has a monoply on Christian Science.

I then picked up the serpents, with trepidation and after much research, and discovered powerful facts to work with. These facts are: 1) Science and Health states that revisions are “requisite,” necessary; 2) Science and Health was written for the public, not a church; 3) everyone, EVERYONE, has the ability to discover and understand the divine Science interpreting God and harmony. Divine Science doesn’t come through a book.

Well, I need to sign off here and get back to work. But, just a reminder, don’t be afraid to throw down what seems like such a wonderful support. Be strong as an eagle and take those serpents back up. God, divine Spirit, is right here, right now, guiding, guarding, and renewing us. And, we will find a more reliable human staff to lean on. A staff that includes everyone.