In the last few weeks the following has occurred in my life:

• My brother was hospitalized multiple times with severe heart problems
• My 24-year-old granddaughter has moved in with us
• I found termites in the upstairs bathroom
• My 17-year-old cat has peed on the floor several times
• My built-in gas barbecue began leaking natural gas
• I developed a rip-roaring case of asthmatic bronchitis
• My refrigerator is freezing everything
• I have been diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease
• Ants have begun their annual march into my house

Any one of these situations individually could provide me with the fuel to toss in the towel, give myself over to constant worry and not take care of my priorities while I made each of these a priority that had to be dealt with immediately and in the moment and NOTHING was more important than whichever one of these I chose to focus my emotions on.

I must admit I slipped a few times and began to eat my emotions (old habits die hard and vigilance is called for frequently).

In the final countdown I chose to control that which I had control over.  I:

• Gave verbal support to my nephew and my brother as the heart issues were ongoing, there was nothing more I could do from 3000 miles away;
• Set the rules for my granddaughter and her dog to live with us before she moved in and am accepting the reduction in my privacy;
• I am going to call the exterminator regarding the termites to spray orange oil which is non-lethal to humans and pets in the area
• Taking extra care and cleaning the litter box more frequently (my husband’s job)
• Checking out cost of new gas grill vs rebuilding the old one and husband has chosen to rebuild
• Checked and reset the temperature on the refrigerator to see if it helped…time will tell
• Realized that my legs and my varicose veins have been a problem for years, caused by my obesity and lifestyle habits, and accepted that I am doing everything possible to keep this under control.  Worrying about a heart attack or stroke constantly would result in me bringing one on.  It is what it is.
• Purchased ant traps and have placed them where we know problems to exist
• Spent the last week taking care of ME - resting, taking the meds that I hoped would help me get over this bronchitis thing.  It’s working, I was back in the gym for a short workout on Monday and hope to keep things going.

What’s my point here?  In my previous life I would come unglued at any one of these lemons, using the situation as a reason for “freaking out”, shirking responsibilities or being angry at the world… oh, and eating, constantly stuffing all these feelings down my pie hole with carbs.

I am a weight loss surgery patient.  Those actions don’t serve my long-term health in any way.

Temper tantrums don’t work.  They are excuses.  I don’t need an excuse to eat.  If I choose to eat carbs I am fully aware of the results and accept them.

It’s this living in acceptance of - oh well, this is what it is for the moment, let’s make the best of it and move on that has helped me continue my success as a weight loss surgery patient.  That, and fully accepting accountability for my actions without self-hate or guilt or any of the useless, counterproductive emotions that helped me soar to my highest weight of 424 pounds.

Each day my goal is to live the best day possible.  What’s yours?