Monday, September 19, 2011

Are You Toxic?

Toxic people have super powers. They can suck the life out of a party in less than a minute. Their extreme negativity has the ability to drain the energy from even the happiest of people. From gossiping and complaining, to creating doubt, or just being plain mean, a toxic person can alter how people see reality.

What motivates toxic people to ooze so much negativity? Is it the power they feel from making an impact? It may not be a positive impact, but they still create a change in their surroundings. Is their goal to bring others down to the level of their inner despair? Another possibility is that they have no idea that they are contaminating the world around them.

I didn't realize how toxic I actually was until I completed a 9 day cleanse. Originally, it was about food, but soon after I began, it was clear that it more encompassing than just a physical cleanse. Just talking about "cleansing" was terrifying before I started. Part of me was afraid that my entire digestive system would fall apart if I changed my diet so drastically. The irony was that when I was 20, I had no problem becoming a vegetarian and even ate a vegan diet for many years. So why did I fight the idea of cleansing for so long?

The answer was sugar. Giving up meat was no big deal because meat has never called to me like sugar. Mmmm...sugar...what an addictive mood altering drug. Throughout my life, there were few times that a chocolate chip cookie wouldn't improve my day. Add a Starbucks' triple tall, nonfat, dirty latte with extra foam and my day would have reached perfection.

So how could I possibly consider giving up something that I thought added so much to my life? I had lots of excuses: Some of my best writing has been Starbucks charged. I might get light-headed if I didn't have a least a little sweet treat in the afternoon. Yes, I convinced myself that I must be hypoglycemic. :) After dealing with that difficult (toxic) person, I deserve to indulge in a Godiva chocolate. I don't have the willpower, which really meant, I didn't have a strong enough desire to change. My own thoughts and attitudes were toxic to my well being.

Guess what! I did the cleanse anyway! I cleansed my mind and body. Surprisingly, I survived. I also lost 9 pounds and have yet to find it. :) In fact, I have lost 6 more pounds and it's only been 3 weeks. The best part is that I no longer have cravings for sugar or anything else for that matter. I just eat like a normal person. Food tastes great and I am free of the desire for sugar.

What I discovered is that I was still eating, just not eating nutritionally bankrupt food. I was still me, I just released pounds and thoughts that were weighing down my life. Cleansing is about nourishing yourself with healthy and clean food, water and thoughts. I completely flooded my system with good things.

How do you feel physically and emotionally? A month ago, if someone would have told me I was toxic, I would have told them they must have me confused with someone else. I am a Whimsical Sol. :) What I have been reminded is that I am on a journey and that means there is always room for growth and enlightenment.

In my next blog, I will share with you how to Flood Your System with Good Things.

Wishing you love, peace and a whimsical week,

~Lisa

"Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

2 comments:

SandraH said...

Just found your blog. Great work! And I'm looking forward to your next post! Greetings from a fellow single mom.

Whimsical Sols said...

Thank you, Sandra! Happy to meet another single mom! We have so much to learn from each other. :)