The continuing saga

So much has happened in the last twelve days I almost don't know where to start.<br /><br />My Fairbanks trip on New Year's Eve was a disaster. Remember how my sister wouldn't stop crying that evening? It continued into the next day when my husband and I visited in the afternoon. Nothing but tears and squeezing my hand until I thought she was going to break it.<br /> <br /> I asked if she was okay. No. I asked her if someone had hurt her, yes and more tears. I looked at my husband and I felt my heart stop. My worst nightmare was for someone to hurt my defenseless sister and she could never tell us who hurt her.<br /><br />This was Friday, December 30. I called APS (Adult Protection Services) in Fairbanks and told them they needed to do an immediate investigation with my sister. They did and concluded my sister had been hurt, arm and ankle twisted, by my crazy niece, and threatened. There was a restraining order put in place (at least that's what the owner of the home told me) to prevent my niece's family from seeing my sister.<br /><br />There's more to this story that I'm going to leave out, mainly because my niece is suing me, or at least she is threatening to sue me.<br /><br />A lot happened my since my last post on December 30 to Sunday, January 8. Things I'd like to forget, but will probably haunt me the rest of my life.<br /><br />Bottom line, my sister now lives here in Seattle, about fifteen minutes from my home. She's happy, and can't stop smiling. She went from being bedridden, living in a hell hole assisted living home in Fairbanks to a gorgeous adult family home with five other residents. In only 24 hours she was scooting herself around all day in her wheelchair.<br /><br />She went from wearing the same shirt and Depends all day and night, and eating in bed to getting up (with help of course), getting dressed in real clothes and having breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining room where she can look out large windows. She eats with the other residents. In her old home she was in a basement room with a little window she couldn't even see out of and had her meals in bed. It was horrible. <br /><br />She's even making friends. They told me that she and the Alzheimer's lady (a former teacher with a masters in education) talk back and forth in their own strange secret language (can't wait to see that).<br /><br />I can't tell you how much lighter my heart is these days. I know my lovely sister will never be like her old self, there was too much brain damage. I do now that now she is having the best quality of life she can have for someone in her condition. She's happy. Which makes me happy.<br /><br />I'm in the Anchorage airport, waiting for my flight back to Seattle. Even though I made the trip from hell with my sister just two days ago when I basically kidnapped her and brought her to Seattle (I can do that as her legal guardian per the District Attorney's office), I had to go back to Fairbanks last night to testify in court against another niece about being evicted from my sister's apartment complex (which sold!).<br /><br />I really should write a book some day. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br />

The continuing saga

So much has happened in the last twelve days I almost don't know where to start.My Fairbanks trip on New Year's Eve was a disaster. Remember how my sister wouldn't stop crying that evening? It continued into the next day when my husband and I visited…

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Winning Outcomes

I really want 2012 to be THEE year that I achieve some strong weight loss goals.  While I would love to reach my ultimate goal weight of 165, I still want to be realistic.  After all, I'm gonna have <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/wedding.html">a lot</a> going on this year! <br /><br />Not only am I planning our wedding, but I'm about to begin my 4th semester of pre-nursing school on Tuesday.  On one hand, this seems stressful at first glance, but when I really think about it, it's actually exciting.   By May, I'll be that much closer to pursuing my dream career, and by October, I will be a married woman!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5OFuR3gX_TJHV3b4HSBu6fnCslfQjkUyVJbGtH5Tp2cTdWXUe3Eg12mu6IesH5x_o9coViy4618nlEm-c035tDaDDarro1bS7JNuixA0D0nXeDva7GLPv_OX3rJc4Xp_h4dybCO-BOI/s1600/biology+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5OFuR3gX_TJHV3b4HSBu6fnCslfQjkUyVJbGtH5Tp2cTdWXUe3Eg12mu6IesH5x_o9coViy4618nlEm-c035tDaDDarro1bS7JNuixA0D0nXeDva7GLPv_OX3rJc4Xp_h4dybCO-BOI/s400/biology+011.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm sure these guys are going to OWN me before it's all said & done too!</td></tr></tbody></table>Mixed into that equation will continue to be my successful journey on Weight Watchers.  Though, I cannot just make that statement and magically expect to achieve my goal of 190 lbs. (Man, do I wish it were that simple!)<br /><br />A few weeks ago at a WW meeting, my leader handed out the Winning Outcomes pamphlet.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ONRv1yeUtGpDBU2fL4BqYTY4fyLfyxIxtSLPCydE9LQGShcXBWIDUwe_ukHf-50s86v259pK9ziFuH97Vf5wJthEAbAd78ecTLSGo6gJoBB4AcyBLqDnq-3AHhJKxe80dx3p3ReXx38/s1600/Winning+Outcomes+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ONRv1yeUtGpDBU2fL4BqYTY4fyLfyxIxtSLPCydE9LQGShcXBWIDUwe_ukHf-50s86v259pK9ziFuH97Vf5wJthEAbAd78ecTLSGo6gJoBB4AcyBLqDnq-3AHhJKxe80dx3p3ReXx38/s400/Winning+Outcomes+011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This pamphlet talks about the power of goal setting (perfect for all NYR makers!) as well as <i>how </i>to make clear, obtainable goals for yourself.<br /><br />Weight Watchers wants you to plan ahead in order to achieve your goals.  They give you 3 strategies to help you do this:<b> </b><br /><br /><b>1. Use Weight Watchers Tools for Living: Winning Outcomes</b><br />"Winning Outcomes" is basically WW's fancy way of referring to a "goal".  And listen, even if you're not on WW, it doesn't matter!  There is absolutely no PointsPlus tracking involved in ironing out your goal(s), whatever they may be.  When stating your Winning Outcome, WW advises you to:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAecbEzxIhVcEAzh7mNkakQVLhWSQeBfP36uQ8NmnMXehu1vizfako2UP0zfaa0doa_S7MbLBeP9ZrhvOU-7KatvoxenrStf-REoLXpmY74_ThnlZ9A61IbxvB1Qym1oYgOojfcK2ehU/s1600/Winning+Outcomes+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAecbEzxIhVcEAzh7mNkakQVLhWSQeBfP36uQ8NmnMXehu1vizfako2UP0zfaa0doa_S7MbLBeP9ZrhvOU-7KatvoxenrStf-REoLXpmY74_ThnlZ9A61IbxvB1Qym1oYgOojfcK2ehU/s400/Winning+Outcomes+014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><ul><li><b>Positively state it.</b> <i>I want to weigh 190 lbs by October 6, 2012.</i> <i>(as opposed to "I don't want to be overweight anymore.")</i></li><li><b>Be very specific.</b> <i>I'm going to achieve this goal by committing to exercise 2 days per week, as well as staying within my Daily PointsPlus Target 5 of the 7 days (DPT).</i></li><li><b>Have the goal be within your control.</b><i> I don't have to rely on anyone else but myself to achieve this goal.</i></li><li><b>It must be a good fit with your life.</b>  <i>Stating, for instance: "I will exercise every single day for 3 hours each day 5 days a week."  I don't have that kind of time, and I'd venture to say most of you don't as well.</i><b></b></li></ul></blockquote><b>2. Use Weight Watchers Tools for Living: Storyboarding</b> Now that you have your Winning Outcome defined, how do you plan to achieve it or what is going to help you achieve it?  Tell me your <i>story</i>:<br /><ul></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4_Rv98Eeyx0CFLQF-XxuuzoikX1_El38J_JatE9laBYZ2UFgV80UcQA1GCSmpk-Q_L1dyql95u0YIaNR3uHV9rpMD-zXr8x_dWtjoaiixp8S3tCgXgOhX5lovuV7DupwwH_amBoCoSo/s1600/Winning+Outcomes+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4_Rv98Eeyx0CFLQF-XxuuzoikX1_El38J_JatE9laBYZ2UFgV80UcQA1GCSmpk-Q_L1dyql95u0YIaNR3uHV9rpMD-zXr8x_dWtjoaiixp8S3tCgXgOhX5lovuV7DupwwH_amBoCoSo/s400/Winning+Outcomes+016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i>I plan to reach 190 lbs by October 6, 2012 by committing to meal planning every week.  I will plan for 2 weeks at a time, utilizing the Friday I have off every other week to do this.  My exercise plan will go as follows:</i> <br /><ul><li><i>January/February: 2 days per week at the gym for at least 35 minutes</i></li><li><i>March/April: 3 days of activity per week - 2 at the gym, 1 at home (at least 35 minutes)</i></li><li><i>May/June/July/August/September: 4 days of activity per week - 2 at the gym (varying workouts), 2 at home (varying workouts) (at least 35 minutes)</i></li></ul><i>Anything beyond the stated exercise goals above will be a bonus!</i> <i>I am going to allow one day per week to eat out (NOT including Mon-Thurs), but still be mindful of what I'm eating at the restaurant.  Additionally, Starbucks is no more Mon-Fri! </i><br /><i> </i> <br /><b>3. Reward Yourself All Along the Way.</b><br />I certainly don't have a problem doing <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/p/goals.html">this</a>!  But really, I quickly gravitated away from food rewards, because it became detrimental quickly.  "Yes! I had a loss at WW tonight.  Hey Joel - let's go gorge ourselves at XYZ restaurant to celebrate!"  No more.  The non-food rewards are SO much better, not to mention long lasting.  I get to see the results of my weight loss success daily, thanks to my <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/12/weekend-recap-1-day-late.html">bracelet</a>.<br /><br />Also, feel free to use my Goals as a guideline for your own, but by no means compare what you're capable of getting yourself to what I am (not that I'm a baller, but if you have the same idea as the Pandora, for instance - that crap is expensive!  They make <a href="http://www.chamilia.com/">comparable bracelets</a> that are just as nice and MUCH more affordable).  I'm a 27 year old girl with no kids and a fulltime job.  If you're not in that boat, then reward yourself with smaller, less expensive rewards.  Any kind of makeup item would be a good start here (I <3 nailpolish!!), or a new book, slippers and/or pajamas for your shrinking bod, a new top... the inexpensive ideas are really endless.  Just do SOMETHING.  Working toward these SMALL goals (i.e. 5 pounds at a time) has made ALLLLLL the difference for me! <br /><br /><div style="color: purple;">For the fellow WW, have any of you filled out this pamphlet?  What is your story<i>(boarding)</i> on how you're going to make your big goal this year? Share, share, share - it can only help us all!</div><br />

goals Storyboarding Tools for Living Weight Watcher Pamphlets Weight Watchers Winning Outcomes Winning Outcomes

I really want 2012 to be THEE year that I achieve some strong weight loss goals.  While I would love to reach my ultimate goal weight of 165, I still want to be realistic.  After all, I'm gonna have a lot going on this year! Not only am I planning ou…

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Library Media Specialist (Long-Term Substitute) - New Milford Public Schools

<strong>Library Media Specialist (Long-Term Substitute)</strong> - The <span style="color: #48286d;"><strong>New Milford Public Schools</strong></span> has an immediate opening for a long term substitute as Library Media Specialist at the high school level. The school library media specialist is responsible for helping students develop the skills, attitude, and knowledge to become effective self-directed learners as adults. In addition, the library media specialist is responsible for maintaining effective communication with teachers in order to provide supplemental materials and services to support and enrich the curriculum. Candidate must hold Connecticut certification as a Library Media Specialist. Only online applications will be accepted. For more information, <a href="http://www.applitrack.com/newmilfordps/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1&AppliTrackJobId=304&AppliTrackLayoutMode=detail&AppliTrackViewPosting=1" target="_blank">view the job description</a>.

Library Media Specialist (Long-Term Substitute) - New Milford Public Schools

Library Media Specialist (Long-Term Substitute) - The New Milford Public Schools has an immediate opening for a long term substitute as Library Media Specialist at the high school level. The school library media specialist is responsible for helpi…

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Part-time Library Assistant for Circulation - Fairfield University

<strong>Part-time Library Assistant for Circulation</strong> - DiMenna-Nyselius Library, <span style="color: #48286d;"><strong>Fairfield University</strong></span>. This position requires a High School diploma while an Associate’s degree or LTA certificate is preferred. Experience: 1 year previous library experience. Familiarity with computer systems required. Accuracy in typing or data entry, must have verbal and written communication skills, strong customer service skills, & must be able to work Friday schedule 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flexibility is a plus to substitute for other shifts, as needed. Circulation staff opens or closes the library building, serves on the circulation desk loaning out & receiving materials, offers directional information, assists patrons in locating reserve materials, performs clerical tasks, assists in the training and supervision of student assistants, oversees the maintenance of the library stacks, digitizes library materials, and assists in performing special projects or other duties as assigned. Submit resume and contact information to JoAnn Garrity, DiMenna-Nyselius Library, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT 06824 or electronically to <a href="mailto:jgarrity@fairfield.edu">jgarrity@fairfield.edu</a>. Review of applications will begin immediately.

Part-time Library Assistant for Circulation - Fairfield University

Part-time Library Assistant for Circulation - DiMenna-Nyselius Library, Fairfield University. This position requires a High School diploma while an Associate’s degree or LTA certificate is preferred. Experience: 1 year previous library experience.…

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Children/Youth Service Internship - West Haven Public Library

<strong>Children/Youth Service Internship</strong> - The <span style="color: #48286d;"><strong>West Haven Public Library</strong></span> is seeking a resourceful, self-motivated graduate student to become a member of the Children and Youth Services team for a Spring Internship beginning in January, 2012. The position will allow the student to gain experience working with a diverse community of children and young adults. The successful candidate will have a willingness to learn, enjoy working with children and young adults and have passion to serve the community. This opportunity will give them valuable experience and hands on involvement in the everyday activities of the Graham Room (our children/youth area). The student will procure knowledge in programing for infants and toddlers, reading clubs for pre-teens to young adults, reader's advisory, teen advisory program, as well as circulation duties and collection development. The student will have the chance to observe, learn and conduct some of the programs offered. This internship will be 10-15 hours a week with a flexible work schedule and follow the Spring Semester. This is an unpaid internship. Interested candidates should contact Bernadette Niedermeier at <a href="mailto:bniedermeier@westhavenlibrary.org">bniedermeier@westhavenlibrary.org</a> or Director Kathy Giotsas at <a href="mailto:kgiotsas@westhavenlibrary.org">kgiotsas@westhavenlibrary.org</a>. West Haven Public Library 300 Elm Street, West Haven, CT 06516. 203-937-4233.

Children/Youth Service Internship - West Haven Public Library

Children/Youth Service Internship - The West Haven Public Library is seeking a resourceful, self-motivated graduate student to become a member of the Children and Youth Services team for a Spring Internship beginning in January, 2012. The position…

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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aiZ7AIi2oV4V3g6D6jpZjoVa9NI_ZpEf2ZIrEr5V1Uz1fsaeYMtyXAibTe5Un6cfHG8Rq8XhVMfbZfKtYyZtTpbTCiZOtbCS363onhyphenhyphenx8d797dYqAlZKqomFT66VsAc3plUIRa2ntw0Z/s1600/1153494_tango_1_silhouette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aiZ7AIi2oV4V3g6D6jpZjoVa9NI_ZpEf2ZIrEr5V1Uz1fsaeYMtyXAibTe5Un6cfHG8Rq8XhVMfbZfKtYyZtTpbTCiZOtbCS363onhyphenhyphenx8d797dYqAlZKqomFT66VsAc3plUIRa2ntw0Z/s320/1153494_tango_1_silhouette.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cristina Kirchner sobre el futuro de Argentina</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">English version published Monday 09 January 2012 </span><br /><br />Por The Globalist Lunes, 09 de enero 2012<br /><br />En octubre de 2011, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner fue reelegida como Presidente de la República Argentina por un amplio margen. Ella fue diagnosticada recientemente con cáncer de tiroides y se sometió a una cirugía, lo que dio lugar a una profunda efusión de apoyo a la líder del pueblo. Nuestra Read My Lips presenta su visión para el futuro de Argentina.<br /><br />1. Que fue lo que hizo que su reelección sea  histórica?<br />"Tengo el honor de ser la primera mujer en ser reelegido en el país. ¿Qué más quiero?"<br />(Octubre 2011)<br /><br />2. ¿Las mujeres aportan una perspectiva única a la política?<br />"Las mujeres aportan una cara diferente a la política. No solo vemos el cuadro geopolítico grande -. Sino también los más pequeños  detalles diarios de la vida de los ciudadanos".<br />(Febrero 2008)<br /><br />3. ¿Cómo es eso?<br />"Estamos involucradas  tanto en lo principal, en la escuela de nuestra hija y en lo que los periódicos están diciendo."<br />(Febrero 2008)<br />4. ¿Cuál es el objetivo principal de su segundo mandato?<br />"Cuenten conmigo para seguir profundizando un proyecto nacional que ha ayudado a mejorar las vidas de 41 millones de argentinos".<br />(Octubre 2011)<br /><br />5. ¿Está usted comprometida a cambiar la Argentina?<br />"Tenemos que pensar en un país diferente, donde el que viene se base en la parte superior de lo que ya se ha hecho."<br />(Octubre 2011)<br /><br />6. ¿Puede ser considerado una  presidenta  activista?<br />"Ese es el sueño de que Argentina, donde tenemos la continuidad de los proyectos políticos para el país."<br />(Octubre 2011)<br /><br />7. Cuál es la guía ideal para  su presidencia?<br />"Esta mujer no se mueve por ningún interés. Lo único que la mueve es el amor profundo por el país. Por que yo soy responsable."<br />(Octubre 2011)<br /><br />8. ¿Cuál es su esperanza para el futuro de Argentina?<br />"Vamos a seguir creciendo, con inclusión social, con justicia, memoria y verdad."<br />(Agosto 2011)<br /><br />9. Ha sido un crédito  su difunto esposo para su éxito político?<br />"Este hombre que transformó la Argentina nos ha llevado a todos y dio todo lo que tenía y mucho más. Sin él, sin su valentía y coraje, habría sido imposible llegar a este punto."<br />(Octubre 2011)<br /><br />10. Y, por último, ¿cuál es la clave para ser un líder exitoso?<br />"Lo peor que la gente puede ser es pequeño en la historia, siempre hay que ser más grande todavía -.. Más generoso, más reflexivo, más agradecido"<br />(Octubre 2011)<br />

Cristina Kirchner sobre el futuro de ArgentinaEnglish version published Monday 09 January 2012 Por The Globalist Lunes, 09 de enero 2012En octubre de 2011, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner fue reelegida como Presidente de la República Argentina por un …

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Library Assistant II, Children’s Library - South Windsor Public Library

<strong>Library Assistant II, Children’s Library</strong> - <span style="color: #48286d;"><strong>South Windsor Public Library</strong></span>. 19 hr./week schedule includes some evenings and Saturdays year-round. Requirements: LTA or HS Diploma + related exp. Previous library and children’s programming experience helpful; excellent customer service skills a must. $17.57/hour; no benefits. EOE/ADA compliant. Applications available by mail or at South Windsor Public Library, 1550 Sullivan Avenue, South Windsor, CT 06074. (860) 644-1541. Deadline: <span style="color: red;">January 18, 2012</span>.

Library Assistant II, Children’s Library - South Windsor Public Library

Library Assistant II, Children’s Library - South Windsor Public Library. 19 hr./week schedule includes some evenings and Saturdays year-round. Requirements: LTA or HS Diploma + related exp. Previous library and children’s programming experience he…

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SYRIA’S DESTINY SEALED

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkagLJ78zl4B8b8AW3h74JHbwxTPROX8_VwhiU0aK04quAjgxWTkiI5D-MYesJ_2Ol7mIHNdi4wMjLqcaQ2K6aInBJPA2BMvOtYrwpzj8PdA3QuQIj7UcoOiB5VVNOGVntbsm_3tS8-obA/s1600/1540426717_f280f71fd4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkagLJ78zl4B8b8AW3h74JHbwxTPROX8_VwhiU0aK04quAjgxWTkiI5D-MYesJ_2Ol7mIHNdi4wMjLqcaQ2K6aInBJPA2BMvOtYrwpzj8PdA3QuQIj7UcoOiB5VVNOGVntbsm_3tS8-obA/s400/1540426717_f280f71fd4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><b>ISRAEL’S STRATEGY CHANGE ON SYRIA</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">All indicators point towards a regime change in SYRIA because of shifts in Geo - strategic interests. At the beginning of the SYRIAN “upraise” I wrote that a regime change in SYRIA is not going to occur, for reasons I stated in various articles posted on this blog. (Links to related articles are shown at the bottom of this article)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now I have to revise my view on subject matter, the reasons of which are explained in the 2 articles, one of which had been posted on the 2 January 2012.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>CHANGE OF PLANS</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Current arms buildup in the LEVANTINE and STRAIT OF HORMUZ confirm the thesis that it’s all about natural resources and shifting geopolitical strategies. In recent past it would have been unthinkable that ISRAEL would promote a regime change in SYRIA, for the autocratic ASSAD regime, though technically still at war with ISRAEL proved to be a stable and calculable risk factor on ISRAEL’S eastern frontier, the GOLAN HEIGHTS and for the country itself. A regime change in SYRIA was considered a serious security threat for ISRAEL. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>ISRAEL TO TAKE IN ASSAD ALAWITE SECT REFUGEES ON THE GOLAN HEIGHTS ONCE THE ASSAD REGIME IS TUMBLED </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That doctrine has suddenly changed, now we hear ISRAELI top military brass talking openly that ASSAD will not be able to stay much longer at the helm of the country and that ISRAEL is prepared to take in ASSAD’S ALAWITE SECT refugees on the GOLAN HEIGHTS, once the regime is tumbled.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>LUCRATIVE SECURITY GUARANTEES AND SIGNIFICANT SHARE OF OIL EXTRACTION DEAL</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUTucpFDhFtUlmeM1WmDaGk5s68y9mMjrut7XxeAoHsN2LA3Ykhy3ZHUMx_MhssB4gpj6Fm1iNXmecbouxexlXvTL1MTuUYHeGmfDgzsuNwhmMzrLsAHJ-4qXATQmwTr3l4ORgoSsWC_J/s1600/Tapline.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUTucpFDhFtUlmeM1WmDaGk5s68y9mMjrut7XxeAoHsN2LA3Ykhy3ZHUMx_MhssB4gpj6Fm1iNXmecbouxexlXvTL1MTuUYHeGmfDgzsuNwhmMzrLsAHJ-4qXATQmwTr3l4ORgoSsWC_J/s320/Tapline.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In accepting a regime change in SYRIA, orchestrated by the USA and SAUDI ARABIA, ISRAEL must have received some lucrative security guarantees as well as a significant share of the natural resource extraction deal this entire warmongering and arms buildup in the LEVANTINE and STRAIT OF HORMUZ is about in the first place.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Converting SYRIA and LEBANON from its pro IRAN stance to a pro SAUDI ARABIAN and subsequently USA would pave the way to reactivate the defunct TRANS-ARABIAN PIPELINE (TAPLINE), along with other alternative routes going from the ARABIAN PENINSULA to the coast of the MEDITERRANEAN SEA via the LEVANTINE, thus reducing the strategic significance of THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, as claimed in the article originally published on 2 Jan 2012 on this blog. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>ALL IN QUEST FOR BLACK GOLD</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVKicaSrc4gC5DvPsHhIcgCplSGyj-C2bnT1IXW63UadVJNx05B7gaL0ND9farnzzleHoHTpsgYCHSbMQ0oUyFyu3JZmKLwi1HbApHyDK4nROWfrGQE3DiPaCyp1dpnVYCmXzjuEzIC1g/s1600/Arabpipeline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVKicaSrc4gC5DvPsHhIcgCplSGyj-C2bnT1IXW63UadVJNx05B7gaL0ND9farnzzleHoHTpsgYCHSbMQ0oUyFyu3JZmKLwi1HbApHyDK4nROWfrGQE3DiPaCyp1dpnVYCmXzjuEzIC1g/s320/Arabpipeline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The strategic significance the STRAIT OF HORMUZ has for global oil supply, and the fact that the IRANIANS can militarily close it for a significant period of time has urged the USA its allies together with the GCC countries – SAUDI ARABIA, QATAR, BAHRAIN, KUWAIT, OMAN, and the U.A.E. – to re-route their oil through pipelines bypassing the STRAIT OF HORMUZ and channeling GCC oil directly to the INDIAN OCEAN, RED SEA, OR MEDITERRANEAN SEA. In a desperate move, the USA is also pushing IRAQ to seek alternative routes in talks with TURKEY, JORDAN, and SAUDI ARABIA, drawing the attention of ISRAEL and TURKEY who are also showing interest in this strategic project. ANKARA has had discussions with QATAR about setting up an oil terminal that would reach TURKEY via IRAQ. The TURKISH government has attempted to get IRAQ to link its southern oil fields, like IRAQ’S northern oil fields, to the transit routes running through TURKEY. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>THE REAL REASON BEHIND TURKEYS AND ISRAEL RIFT IN RELATIONS IS ABOUT CONTROL OVER NATURAL RESOURCE IN THE REGION AND SUBSEQUENT GEO STRATEGIC DOMINANCE </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is all tied to TURKEY’S visions of being an energy corridor and important transit hub in the EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA. This is also the real reason behind TURKEY’S rift with ISRAEL, for both are aware that those who control the ports along the EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA and participate in gas and oil exploration will have the economic as well as strategical upper hand in the region.</div><br />See:<span style="color: red;"> </span><br /><span style="color: red;"></span><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/09/warmongerning-between-israel-and-turkey.html" style="color: red;">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/09/warmongerning-between-israel-and-turkey.html</a><br /><div style="color: red;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/09/turkeys-middle-east-chess-game.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/09/turkeys-middle-east-chess-game.html</a></div><div style="color: red;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/09/seismic-shift-in-middle-east.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/09/seismic-shift-in-middle-east.html</a></div><div style="color: red;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/09/mission-impossible-quest-for-natural.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/09/mission-impossible-quest-for-natural.html</a></div><div style="color: red;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/09/natural-resource-exploration-welcome.html" style="color: red;">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/09/natural-resource-exploration-welcome.html</a> )</div><div style="color: red;"><br /></div><div style="color: red;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85CeYKee2S4FQsYfJAaZNVPKi_5IwnXF1h0K3RGgGwRUjXz7mRKJ5fRGUvD90eD-Zj7TRPVQLxu8JgpQieuMbx57RJHi4yOA9iAoFRwDwQzRWM6sGFdUmi8eg1MLwxVcigKaPG1GKoTo_/s1600/The-March-to-War-Iran-and-the-Strategic-Encirclement-of-Syria-and-Lebanon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85CeYKee2S4FQsYfJAaZNVPKi_5IwnXF1h0K3RGgGwRUjXz7mRKJ5fRGUvD90eD-Zj7TRPVQLxu8JgpQieuMbx57RJHi4yOA9iAoFRwDwQzRWM6sGFdUmi8eg1MLwxVcigKaPG1GKoTo_/s320/The-March-to-War-Iran-and-the-Strategic-Encirclement-of-Syria-and-Lebanon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>NEW ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST REGIME IN SYRIA IN ORDER TO REACTIVATE SAUDI ARABIA’S AND USA ARAMCO TRANS ARABIAN OIL PIPELINE? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Article originally published on 2 January 2012</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many geo strategic analysts and political experts are at odds over the reason why even the UNITED STATES, a key ally of ISRAEL, is pushing for a regime change in SYRIA, even if such move will probably turn SYRIA into a fundamentalist Islamic State at the doorsteps of ISRAEL. It could be argued that the USA and SAUDI ARABIA prefer a SUNNI fundamentalist Islamic government in SYRIA in order to eliminate IRANIAN influence in SYRIA and at the same time reactivate, for Geo – strategic reasons, SAUDI ARABIA’S  ARAMCO company constructed TRANS ARABIAN OIL PIPELINE “TAPLINE” </div><div style="text-align: justify;">(See http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/12/syria-cause-and-effect.html ). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>REACTIVATION OF PIPELINE WOULD ELIMINATE THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqCVchrDb6VYACZnRusDICFj2ThcZzjtvcADfnRVTBJKDqK9kT_I385RRMT6XjC1Y-kg9gcW6S2s0IBpu1jo4XCYmbM3rAOFyRmDRtLY1XAJjqIkdCUXFsGaTN-O6cX2s98Ge0LvJZifw/s1600/straightof+hormuz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqCVchrDb6VYACZnRusDICFj2ThcZzjtvcADfnRVTBJKDqK9kT_I385RRMT6XjC1Y-kg9gcW6S2s0IBpu1jo4XCYmbM3rAOFyRmDRtLY1XAJjqIkdCUXFsGaTN-O6cX2s98Ge0LvJZifw/s320/straightof+hormuz.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Reactivation of the pipeline would eliminate the geo strategic importance of the STRAIT OF HORMUZ and thus IRAN’S leverage over the passage, through which 35% of the world’s crude oil is shipped. Needless to say, a blockade would have enormous global consequences. Sunni SAUDI ARABIA and Shiite IRAN have been at odds with each other over theological as well as economic issues for centuries (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Hormuz )</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>PIPELINE ROUTE LEADS THROUGH PRO IRANIAN SYRIA, THE GOLAN HEIGHTS AND LEBANON, THUS A SAUDI FRIENDLY REGIME IS REQUIRED IN SYRIA IN ORDER TO ACTIVATE THE PIPELINE </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In order to reactivate the TAPLINE however, SAUDI ARABIA and its allies need to eliminate IRAN’S influence in SYRIA and stronghold in LEBANON, which is also home to pro IRANIAN HEZBOLLAH, because the route of the pipeline leads over SYRIAN terrain, ISRAEL occupied GOLAN HEIGHTS, ending in the Mediterranean oil terminal ZAHRANI, south of the city of SAIDA in LEBANON.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since SYRIA fosters close eco – political ties with Shiite IRAN, SYRIA will hardly permit the reactivation of the “SAUDI” Tapline on its soil. Not to mention the GOLAN HEIGHTS, which had been seized by ISRAEL during the 6 day war and which are now monitored by United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF. Israel and Syria technically are still at war, thus permitting reactivation of the TAPLINE on the SYRIAN side of the seized GOLAN HEIGHTS is out of the question, for it would need the consent of both, ISRAEL and SYRIA. (See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-Day_War )</div><div style="text-align: justify;">By tumbling the SYRIAN regime however, SAUDI ARABIA would be able to expand its influence in SYRIA and LEBANON, and thereby gain control over the pipeline and direct access to the MEDITERRANEAN SEA oil terminal south of SAIDA, from where crude oil could be shipped to EUROPE and the USA, at 40% less transport costs than by oil tankers passing through the SUEZ Canal in EGYPT. One could now keep on speculating why the “Arab Spring” in EGYPT did not turned out the way it was expected to be expected by the protesters!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>GEO STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE OF IRAN’S NATURAL RESOURCES AND GAS PIPELINE DEAL BETWEEN IRAN SYRIA AND IRAQ</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-aW47HC7L378pRVGZfxCdeOepXM68xTsG7NMcS66vwhw99Mhkmv_m5d0OHExw2Gk1gdAonGbjJzbcW_Ira5ZiLJXxV0gSGP5FY33TPrvw5a6ssMaivxPQcv9_sU6MbHibMgaR93vrNa3/s1600/Strait_of_Hormuz_map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-aW47HC7L378pRVGZfxCdeOepXM68xTsG7NMcS66vwhw99Mhkmv_m5d0OHExw2Gk1gdAonGbjJzbcW_Ira5ZiLJXxV0gSGP5FY33TPrvw5a6ssMaivxPQcv9_sU6MbHibMgaR93vrNa3/s320/Strait_of_Hormuz_map.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some analysts argue that Iran is bluffing with its threat to block the strait, for it can’t afford not to export its own oil resources which also have to pass through the strait. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">What many forget though is that IRAN is not solely relying on oil export but also proves to be a major gas exporter, thus in August 2011, IRAN, SYRIA and IRAQ signed a gas pipeline deal which will transport Iranian gas via the new pipeline trough SYRIA to EUROPE. The deal benefits EUROPE and would also give SYRIA more strategic importance. Negotiations on constructing an IRAN - CHINA oil pipeline, although shelved for now, could easily be reactivated in case CHINA'S demand for crude is increasing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>REGIME CHANGE IN SYRIA WOULD DIMINISH RUSSIA’S IMPORTANCE AS GAS EXPORTER AS WELL AS NAVAL PRESENCE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By tumbling the ASSAD Regime, SAUDI ARABIAN and USA would also cause a serious economic as well as strategic blow to RUSSIA who’s only naval base in the Mediterranean Sea is located in the SYRIAN port city of TARTUZ. But asides from the military strategic point of view it would also mean that RUSSIA'S gas exportation to the EU and other parts of the world would suffer a blow, because dependence on RUSSIA'S gas supplies to various regions would diminish. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Looking at the SYRIAN issue from the natural resources point of view it becomes evident as to why the sudden change in strategy by key world players.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>REGIME CHANGE IN SYRIA, FULL SCORE FOR ISRAEL? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUFPvEIkJw3aUOtBNOUY6jF1IvB3g2jGbeTizEiy76m9AFAH_0eMDGCnJ-2Bq7JSeB-q58EF1VQpuPmttrxVIgy1TJaeUOq0ba7kuskEuufSjI8apwboAaiLtjwHF1Y2y_N6MkUlBanXL/s1600/Levantine+Energy+Corridor.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUFPvEIkJw3aUOtBNOUY6jF1IvB3g2jGbeTizEiy76m9AFAH_0eMDGCnJ-2Bq7JSeB-q58EF1VQpuPmttrxVIgy1TJaeUOq0ba7kuskEuufSjI8apwboAaiLtjwHF1Y2y_N6MkUlBanXL/s320/Levantine+Energy+Corridor.GIF" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As for ISRAEL a regime change in SYRIA in the end might not be such a bad deal after all. SAUDI ARABIA and ISRAEL have been fostering unofficially economic ties for quite some time because of both countries close ties to the USA and vice verse. ISRAEL would in most likelihood once and for all be able to keep the GOLAN HEIGHTS, something the ASSAD regime would never have accept and always made it a precondition for peace talks with ISRAEL. For ISRAEL keeping the GOLAN HEIGHTS on the other hand had been always a priority, not so much for strategic advantages or prestige, but for its freshwater supply, a key issue which is hardly addressed in mainstream media.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The minute SYRIA’S IRAN ties are cut; HEZBOLLAH would lose its influence in LEBANON and thus ease tensions on ISRAEL’S northern frontier. SAUDI ARABIA on the other hand would probably make sure that the SAUDI ARABIAN friendly fundamentalist Islamic regime in SYRIA would keep its distance to ISRAEL in order to assure permanent oil flow from SAUDI ARABIA to the Mediterranean Sea, thus making SAUDI ARABIA and its alley the USA an even bigger player in the oil market. </div><br />Link to Related Articles:<br /><div style="color: red;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/06/assad-dilemma.html%20">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/06/assad-dilemma.html </a></div><div style="color: red;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/06/syrian-regime-likely-to-survive-upraise.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/06/syrian-regime-likely-to-survive-upraise.html</a></div><div style="color: red;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/06/nato-rules-out-military-intervention-in.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/06/nato-rules-out-military-intervention-in.html</a></div><div style="color: red;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/08/food-for-thought.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/08/food-for-thought.html</a></div><div style="color: red;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/11/syria-international-war-mongering-or.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/11/syria-international-war-mongering-or.html</a></div><div style="color: red;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/11/food-for-thought.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/11/food-for-thought.html</a></div><div style="color: red;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/12/as-i-see-it.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/12/as-i-see-it.html</a></div><div style="color: red;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/12/syria-cause-and-effect.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2011/12/syria-cause-and-effect.html</a></div>

SYRIA’S DESTINY SEALED

ISRAEL’S STRATEGY CHANGE ON SYRIAAll indicators point towards a regime change in SYRIA because of shifts in Geo - strategic interests. At the beginning of the SYRIAN “upraise” I wrote that a regime change in SYRIA is not going to occur, for reasons I…

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IS EMOTIONAL EATING YOUR NEW RELIGION?

<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you ever attached to something so intensely that you modified your character for it? Did it change the way you talk, dress, act, behave, the people you allow yourself to engage with, and change the direction of your life? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe that something was your parents, your religion, your friends in Jr. High or high school, a boy/girl friend, your spouse, or even drugs, work, education, a hobby, etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When you made the decision (or was forced) to change who you were to match that “something” did you have to memorize or conform to a certain dress code, like specific things, was there a certain music you listened to in order to be liked by others with the same label, or to avoid being different?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Did you give yourself a name such as a “hippie”, “religious name”, “EMO”, “athlete” or any title that lets people know the general list of character traits they should expect from that label? I have− in many areas. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was raised religious from the day of my birth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I memorized character traits, language, and uncountable times even called myself by the name of the religion. In other ways, I conformed to my siblings, what they liked− I liked. How they dressed− I dressed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sisters played volleyball− I played volleyball. Then in junior high I remember changing the way I held my posture to match the other girls that I thought were “cool”. If I was with a group of people I would change the music I liked to match what they liked, so they’d approve of me. Changing who I was to please other people and to gain acceptance, began the moment I learned about positive and negative reinforcement. And the boundaries I were to follow were blunt and the enforcement was pretty extreme. It makes sense that my self-worth became “others”-worth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>My entire childhood was to please others, which required I define who I was to match other people, so they’d like and accept me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I got to college this completely backfired. That’s when my toddler like self-esteem was put to the test. Pre-marital sex in the religion my identity was molded around, was deemed “the next closest sin to murder”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Within weeks I was propositioned to have sex. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so afraid of causing a problem, making the other person mad, hurting the other persons feelings, and fearful that if I rejected to proposition that they wouldn’t like me or wouldn’t continue to be my friend, that I passively accepted. It felt like rape.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I worried that the sex was awful for the other person, and if I did have sex maybe they’d want to be my boyfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It was over in minutes, and the same boy never put the same effort into talking to me again. You could imagine the rejection I felt, but worse, the complete trauma over the fact that I was going to Hell. If my family found out I’d be judged, scorned, and shamed. The event was extremely traumatic and even worse− I felt profound guilt and anxiety over what a bad person I was. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>This was the beginning of a downward spiral that ended up in a severe mental illness.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In short, instead of relying on others to define me, I decided I would find a way to feel good about myself and I chose my body. My body became my new religion, family, and friends. I could define what was good and bad and no one else could give or take from my new security. I obsessed over the way I looked, would measure my stomach at least 5 times a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I’d exercise an hour on top of the three hours of collegiate volleyball training. I counted calories precisely so at the end of the day, the exercise and caloric intake would end up at zero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Within three months I lost physical strength to play volleyball, checked out of college, and lost a full-ride scholarship. All for my new “body” religion.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here I am today, writing about emotional eating rehab, and what do I know? I’m not a therapist or a psychologist. But I do know this: if you’ve been defined by other people, objects, actions, or a belief system, you might want to rethink when that identity was created, why and who defined it for you, and if it came from a place of fear, vulnerability, rejection, or need for acceptance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you could go back in time, could you imagine the person you are that isn’t defined? If you weren’t in a body, what does your soul feel like? If you were reborn into a new body with a new life, would your soul feel the same? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you, by choice, recreate the same life you have knowing what you know? Most people would love a do-over, but feel chained to what they’ve already been defined by, and can’t see a way out. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But that isn’t true. The moment I chose not to commit suicide, I realized that the only other way out was to live the same life that existed, as if I was getting a do-over. I had the same family, parents, husband (I got married at 20 during my psychological illness− my poor parents!), and instead of killing myself, I’d be authentic, let go of all definitions they created for me, and allow the incredible atomic bomb of vulnerability,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>as they might reject me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I recognized that allowing that horrific vulnerability was no different than suicide, so I might as well let the world know the real me, and accept any rejection, before I ended this life altogether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who would I be, and if I gained fat− would that make me worse of a person? Would being fat lessen the value of my soul? If not, than my extremist body-religion was misdirected and wrong. I was going to have to find out. That’s when I left the severe safety my body-religion, the religion my parents enforced me to be, the idea that sex made me a bad person, and all that traumatized and falsely defined the value of my soul. I gave nothing the power to define me, because the value of my soul had to existe with nothing. No person, clothing, action, music, hobby, education, and nothing of this visible world could completely define what I felt of myself. That moment of realization, awakened me to a level of consciousness that instantly changed my perception of life forever.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My point− find happiness and love for who you are with nothing. Seek who you are that isn’t definable by the way you look, how you act, what your job is, nor from what you see, hear, or feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Recognize that losing weight won’t improve your life (accept that the body you have won’t be so uncomfortable, and may last longer). And if you think once you achieve that thin body that it improves your value, you’re now define by that, and will have intense fear and vulnerability of gaining the fat back. WHAT A NIGHTMARE! This is why I exercised for hours on end, and why I now have severe arthritis at age 34.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being thin doesn’t make you a better person, nor should being fat make you less valuable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The liberty to eat excessively may be your means of gaining freedom from a constraint you really don’t like. The need to restrict food may be a way that you are seeking a new outward definition rather than accepting authenticity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Think about who you are, move past the superficial definitions, and find what is indefinable. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where unconditional love and self-worth starts and where emotional eating or “eating-religion” loses value. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>

IS EMOTIONAL EATING YOUR NEW RELIGION?

Have you ever attached to something so intensely that you modified your character for it? Did it change the way you talk, dress, act, behave, the people you allow yourself to engage with, and change the direction of your life?  Maybe that something w…

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