Day 176: Known + Dinner with a Friend

Today I learned...

...that my eating disorder recovery videos are more well-known than I thought. Apparently they are watched frequently in treatment centers and residents know who I am. That is so surreal to me. And so cool.

Today I am thankful for...

...dinner at the fabulous Panera with a friend who usually makes me laugh.

Day 105: Boston + Channel

Today I learned...
...that tragedy occurred in Boston. I was shocked and horrified. My thoughts are with everyone affected. I am glad those I know in Boston are safe.

Today I am thankful for...
...my Freedom Fighter sisters on the channel where I make videos every Wednesday. I have officially been making eating disorder recovery/motivational/self-help videos for 4 years. I've been a recovery blogger and a group leader for longer than that, but didn't start making videos until April 2009. :-) Just realized this today. :-)

Day 104: Paper Writing + a Walk

Today I learned...
...that paper writing is not quite as hellish when you 1) know that other fabulous people are writing along with you and 2) you make a hilarious and frightening video to document the insanity.

Today I am thankful for...
...a nice, sunny walk in my neighborhood. :-)

Day 45: Valentines + Sisterhood

Today I learned...
...that leaving valentines for strangers is loving, special, and meaningful. There's a first time for everything!

Today I am thankful for...
...a powerful movement called One Billion Rising. I intermittently bawled and got chills while watching live streams and videos of women all over the world dancing to demand an end to violence against women. I made my own video of dancing in solidarity with the movement since I could not be part of an organized event.

Day 40: My Message + Nana

Today I learned...
...that I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to say to girls out there. While I was busy writing papers this morning, I received an email from someone asking for advice on how to talk to a 12 year old girl about body dissatisfaction, comparisons to others, and negative self-worth. It got me thinking - like REALLY thinking - so I filmed an 8 minute video, specifically for girls. You know...those wonderful little creatures who grow up to be women. I couldn't even continue what I was doing until I made this video. Do you have a daughter? A grand-daughter? A niece? A little sister? A student? If there is any girl in your life, this is what I want to tell her. This is what she needs to hear. It's not even really about eating disorders. It's about self-love. It's about life. 

Today I am thankful for...
...being able to celebrate my Nana's birthday with her. Most of the family went out to dinner tonight and it was nice to just look at my grandmother from across the table, sitting there in her red shirt and her salt and pepper hair, and just smile...and watch her smile back.

Day 21: Surprises + Followers

Today I learned...
...that unexpected phone calls don't have to be bad. While I was writing a paper for grad school today, my cell phone rang - a blocked number - and I checked my annoyance and welcomed the interruption by changing my thinking. Instead of a) not answering it as I usually do when I don't know the caller or b) anticipating bad news or something that would bother me, I held my phone for a few seconds as it continued to ring and said, "Thank you for the magnificent outcome of this phone call." This is something I learned from The Magic. (By applying gratitude to something before it happens, an unexpected occurrence can be magical.) Then I answered the phone. What transpired was, in a nutshell, an opportunity to be interviewed by Nancy Werteen for Channel 69 News about eating disorder recovery.

Today I am thankful for...
...the opportunity I listed above...but really so much more: for all the positive feedback from my video viewers and blog readers, for all the Thank You emails and messages from men and women, parents, and professionals, for all the support from people who love me, and for all my followers across the globe - it's AMAZING! I love everyone and it's my honor to help when and where I can.