If you missed my column last week, I thought I'd give you the back story about one of my life experiences. I hope that you will benefit from my lesson.
Last week, as I listened to inspirational videos and tapes, I heard one of my favorite speakers – Wayne Dyer – who told the story of Portia Nelson, the actress who portrayed the cantankerous nun in the musical, The Sound of Music. Nelson penned a well-known poem that talks about why we continue to walk down the same streets; streets that we know are detrimental to our well being. It's all based on psychology, and the way in which we react to situations that take place in our lives.
Nelson wrote:
Chapter One: I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost ... I am helpless. It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter Two: I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend that I don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in this same place. But, it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter Three: I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in ... it's a habit ... but, my eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.
Chapter Four: I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.
Chapter Five: I walk down another street.
This is a wonderful metaphor to remind us about habits that harm us, yet we continue to repeat them.
Take my life for example.
You've read about how I've eaten whatever I wanted – sweets and more sweets – and I blamed it all on a chronic back condition. I was injured in a car accident some years ago. However, I caused myself tremendous pain and I can't begin to describe it! Then, God whispered into my ear to remind me that "our body is the temple of God."
I had abused my body; walking, as I had done for 10 years was out of the question! The pain was so excruciating, to attempt to walk one block was out of the question. Nonetheless, I continued to write positive messages in my columns, and did what I could – but the pain never ceased. No matter what I did, I kept falling into the hole in the street, eating junk to calm my pain!
In order for change to occur, we must adopt a new mindset. If you or I expect change to happen, we've got to walk down a different road. That's what I'm doing now. I share my experience only to help somebody out there who may be falling in the hole, over and over again. Overeaters fall into the same category as any other addict – those who use drugs, drink or smoke. I stopped! I'm so glad that I took a different street.
My doctor has me on a strict diet now, and I'm back to taking my regular walks; I poured all of the sugar down the drain; let go of most carbohydrates and I'm certainly not eating any sweets.
Today, my diet consists of fresh salads, vegetables, fruits, meat and very little bread. The weight is coming off, and I'm beginning to feel better each day.
It's Christmas, and there's no better way to pay respect to my mother who died on Christmas Day from complications due to diabetes than to share my story with you.
Jesus is the reason for the season, Merry Christmas to all. I wish all of you, a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Lyndia Grant is a radio talk show host on WYCB-AM, Fridays at 6 p.m. Call 202-518-3192, www.lyndiagrant.comp; send emails to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .