"I would rather be ashes than dust. I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow than a sleepy and permanent planet. Thr proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time." -Jack London
I get chills every time I read this quote. It feels like a call to action, a battle cry. It is easy to get caught up in the monotony of the day to day, to trudge along mindlessly consumed by the dailyness of life. We forget that we are each magnificent, powerful creatures with much to contribute and much to experience.
One of the most important things I believe we teach at Monte Nido is that a recovered life is one lived with meaning and purpose. I believe that eating disorders often manifest when people have lost sight of these things. Clients have become paralyzed by fear, blocked by the thought of failure and addicted to the safety of stagnancy. They believe the eating disordered voice that they are worthless, incapable and unimportant. They believe that perfection is the only noble pursuit and don't want to try if their efforts will result in anything less.
We must realize that our biggest limitation is our belief that we are limited. When we allow ourselves to own our own power, we are able to realize our potential. We stop letting fear dictate our actions and instead let possibility inspire and motivate us. We start getting busy with living and let go of merely existing. It is not perfection we must seek but rather purpose, passion and progress.
What blaze of light can you leave today? How can you focus on the quality of life experiences rather than the quantity of days on the planet? Use your days wisely. Live brilliantly.
