One thing I have learned through my mom dying is the importance of having people in my life that are heading in the same direction. I have many “feel good” friends in my life. What I also have are friends that love me enough to tell me the truth. I was never open to honest feedback in my life. What I mean by honest feedback is allowing people to tell me the truth about how I am “being”. If I was drinking too much, I didn’t want anyone to bring that to my attention. If I was being a b##ch, I was not open for someone to let me know that. That got me hanging around people that would allow me to self destruct and then let me justify myself. When I attempted to pull myself out of my bad habits of binge drinking and eating it was hard, because it was comfortable to be around people that would be waiting for me to come and have a good time. Only by the grace of God was I able to be lifted out of a life of self destruction and guilt.

Do you have a dream to be healthy and live the abundant life that was intended for you? The people that I surrounded myself with were not wrong or bad and actually I love them dearly. They were just not going in the same direction I wanted to go in my life. I had dreams of being happy and taking a proactive approach in my health. I wanted to succeed at being healthy and then I wanted to be wealthy. There was no way I was getting what I wanted in life without changing who I was hanging around. Have you ever hung around a group of people that have a common purpose and are excited? Have you ever felt the energy in a room that is giving gifts to poor children? Have you ever watched a group of people on TV pour their talents out to help another human being? The spirit that is around a people of vision is energizing and life giving. Getting in a support system with people that are committed to health is a sure way to set yourself up to win in your life.

Being healthy is a lifestyle not a destination so it is natural that you need a group of people to support you on your journey. I was able to find the most wonderful accountability partners including my husband who has lost over 65 pounds and lives the abundant life with me. My sister has been a huge inspiration to me and together we are always trying to perfect the game of health. It is possible to make room for everyone in your life, just choose carefully who you allow to be in your inner circle. Life is short take advantage of each moment.