So I am here at the IAEDP (International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals) conference, on the heels of a full week of NEDA travels, and I have never been more inspired in my life than I am right at this moment. I have spent the last two weeks of my life in the company of the most compassionate, committed, caring people on this planet when it comes to those who are seeking eating disorders recovery.
And it just rekindles my awareness of the importance of mentors in our recovery journey, and how having role models allows us to pay it forward when our turn comes.
For instance, not a day goes by when I don't think about my own current mentor, Lynn, and my past mentors, with love and gratitude. Not a day goes by when I don't realize that, without the support of my many caring mentors through the years, I would not be here today.
And today I can give back out of all that I continue to receive. Today, I shared the same space with Lindsey Hall and Leigh Cohn, Carolyn Costin, Jenni Schaefer, Margo Maine, and so many other pioneers in the field of eating disorders awareness, education, intervention, and prevention. Today, I looked around the room at 350 other individuals who chose to invest thousands of dollars and over a hundred hours to come together, take support from our peers, learn new ideas and techniques, and come away strengthened to continue to the fight to end eating disorders.
Today, I was awed at what we together can do to just say NO to unnatural, unfair, unrealistic standards for beauty, and say YES to health, life, love, connection, and the relationships that replace eating disorders time and time again.
Next week I will be back home and able to post more regularly again. But this week I just want you to know that if you are struggling, if you are crying out in the dark and think no one hears you, that WE HEAR. This week, I just want you to know that there is an ARMY gathering who KNOWS, CARES, and HEARS your pain, and WANTS to help.
And this week, I just want you to know that if you are loved one who is scared for the life of someone you care about, that you too are NOT alone. This week, I want you to know that you are remembered, honored, valued, counted, and that your pain is shared.
This week, I want you to know that we are in this together. Happy National Eating Disorders Awareness Week and National Women's History Month. This is the time when we stand up together and fight for ourselves and each other - and discover just how much strength there can be in numbers!
xo
Shannon
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