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We all, especially women, have struggled with body image, at least one time in our lives. The media and society at large do not make having a healthy body image easy. I want to highlight the fact that if we took all the mental energy people spend on thinking about, obsessing over and criticizing their bodies, and shifted it into thinking about how we could serve the world, change the world and solve big problems, imagine how different the world would be. If you are expending a lot of your own mental energy focusing on how you look rather than on how you feel and what you want to contribute, consider re-directing it.\\xa0 In my 20\\u2019s I was never diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia but I definitely would say I had body image issues. I possibly had body dysmorphia, which is when your obsession with how you look and what you eat gets in the way of your happiness and your ability to connect. I don\\u2019t think I saw myself accurately. I was working as a personal trainer and nutritionist, so I was super obsessed about what I ate and I possibly had exercise bulimia too. If I ate \\u201cbad\\u201d, I would be driven to tears with guilt. This went on for a few years until some major things shifted. It finally subsided when I committed to the type of personal and spiritual growth work I teach on this show. I focused more on working out and body image than I did on really diving in and doing the work. I also dealt with feeling out of control in my life. I had left my job and I didn\\u2019t know what I wanted to do in my life. I had a huge expectation hangover in terms of where I thought I \\u201cshould be\\u201d. I had so much uncertainty. That is when I started a meditation practice and that really helps me to feel more settled and more present. The out of control feeling comes from when our mind is just going and going and we are future tripping all the time. That led me to create a much stronger spiritual practice and relationship with God. I was so self-obsessed I felt very, very separate. I didn\\u2019t have a strong spiritual connection to begin with but the more I leaned into it, the more I talked to God and read spiritual books, the more the connection deepened. I got a purpose which was bigger than me. I got clear on what I was truly hungry for. I was hungry to serve. I was hungry to learn. I was hungry for spiritual connection. When I started to feed myself with what I was truly hungry for, the obsession with food, diet, exercise and body began to melt away. Any disorder, addiction or illness is there to get our attention. It is an indicator that there are unresolved issues we are working hard to suppress. It\\u2019s a red flag that we are craving something and we are trying to feed ourselves through whatever the addiction and disorders are. These disorders reinforce the pain of separation. When we do things that are dangerous, even hurtful to our well-being, it\\u2019s a cry out for God, for remembrance, for the awareness that we are so loved, whole and complete exactly as we are.\\xa0 Today\\u2019s caller, Anne, has been in and out of therapy for her eating disorder so I took a different approach with her. We worked on healing her bulimia with love.\\xa0 I invite all of you to join me for my retreat in magical Bali will include meditation, yoga, one-on-one coaching and the opportunity to meet soul friends. I E-mail Jill@ChristineHassler.com for information on how to join the festivities or to join me in Los Angeles in July for my signature retreat. \\xa0 Consider/Ask Yourself: \\u25cf Are you so obsessed with your body that it affects your emotional stability, everyday decisions or relationships? \\u25cf Have you gone through treatment for a disorder but just can\\u2019t seem to be free of it? \\u25cf Are you aware of what you need to do to heal but cannot seem to integrate it? \\xa0 Anne\\u2019s Question: Anne has been struggling with bulimia for over 12 years. She has informed herself about how to get better but can\\u2019t seem to take the necessary steps to free herself from its grip. \\xa0 Anne\\u2019s Key Insights and Aha\\u2019s: \\u25cf Her bulimia is a coping mechanism \\u25cf She felt insecure while growing up \\u25cf She is trying to get to self-acceptance by not accepting the bulimia \\u25cf She doesn\\u2019t know how to get by without her bulimia \\u25cf She doesn\\u2019t feel lovable \\xa0 How to get over it and on with it: \\u25cf Realize her bulimia has had a higher purpose in helping her to get love \\u25cf She may try to fully accept it and heal it with love \\u25cf Tell her bulimia it has a new job description \\u25cf She needs something to take the place of her disorder \\xa0 Tools and Takeaways: \\u25cf If you realize you have an eating disorder or body image issue, please reach out for support. \\u25cf Don\\u2019t judge your issue, be honest towards it and heal it with love. \\u25cf Write a letter of gratitude and appreciation towards what you would like to release. \\u25cf Set up two chairs and talk to your disorder, asking it what it needs and how it serves you. \\u25cf Don\\u2019t go into hopeless/helpless state, believing this disorder is yours to carry for the rest of your life. \\xa0 Sponsor: Onnit Wellness - Receive a 10% discount on your purchase when you order through this link (including my favorite Alpha Brain). \\xa0 Resources: Christine Hassler Expectation Hangover @christinhassler on Twitter @christinehassler on Instagram Christine@christinehassler.com Jill@christinehassler.com