Today, I received the sweetest e-mail from June, a former client.
Before I tell you what she said, you need to know that once upon a time, back in 1998 and before, I was horribly hooked on red licorice.
It was bad and I was hopeless: I would buy one or two huge bags of the stuff, then eat about 10 of the red licorice sticks at a time (without eating any nutritious food at the same time), and then watch out! I became a witch (with a "b" instead of a "w" in front of the word.)
Nowadays, I clearly see the equation.
In 1998 and before, it was:
Connie + lots of red licorice = Irrational, angry outbursts… and more
Yep, it was my habit of cranky, edgy, snarly reactions after eating a whole bunch of red licorice and hard candies that made my personality flip around and made my boyfriend Mark dump me. That’s why I now jokingly call myself a "Sugar Shrew No More!"
Need I say that nowadays I NEVER EVER touch any red licorice? And, of course, I now use my licorice stories to help coach you to sugarfree freedom.
Well, three years ago, when it came to making fun of my sugary past, I came up with what I thought was a fun idea — I commissioned a couple of cartoons that show me and red licorice! Quite amusing, I think, and I hope you agree.
One shows me surrounded by the nutrient-deprived, sugary substance while cowering in a closet. Another portrays me having a big fight with my boyfriend Mark, with lots of red licorice hovering nearby — as in a cloud of shame, possibly.
Now for this charming e-mail from June:
"Hi Connie,
"Yesterday I was walking with my dogs on a trail around Lake Temescal….Suddenly I saw on the ground 2 red licorice vines. I thought it very odd and immediately thought of you. About 20′ feet to 30 feet further along, I saw a few more red licorice vines…..and further on more and more and more.
"It was almost like someone was marking the trail to find their way (except it is only one trail around a lake and you can’t get lost).
"I think it was a good reminder for me to stay connected to myself and use whatever support around me, and further, even though red vines are not my "thing"….they were on the ground and dirty and NOT FOR ME!!!"
Isn’t that just the sweetest e-mail?
June was quite savvy to see the significance of the red licorice strewn across her path.
I’d like to offer one tip/comment as a result of this wonderful e-mail:
To you sugar addicts out there:
You are often your own best guide. You know what you need to do. You know that the candy, cake, cookies or whatever sugary thing you clamor for isn’t healthy for you. You know that your body wishes high-quality, nutrient-rich foods. So give your dear body nourishment instead of empty, sugar-filled calories.
And whenever you want certain sweets, just imagine them confronting you by being stewn across your path just as June encountered. Isn’t that a wonderful, powerful image that can guide you to treat your body with the love, affection and nuturing that it so needs and deserves?
I do hope these words help.
Want some support embracing your sugar situation? Desire some encouragement to quit or cut back on sweets? Join us in my free, online KickSugar support group.