INSPIRATION RESOURCES ON THIS PAGE:
- Personal Bill of Rights
- A Letter From Recovery
- The Awakening
- Personal Bill of Rights
- A Letter From Recovery
- The Awakening
Personal Bill of Rights
1. I have the right to ask for what I want
2. I have the right to. say no to requests or demands I can't meet.
3. I have the right to express all of my feelings, positive or negative.
4. I have the right to change my mind.
5. I have the right to make mistakes and not have to be perfect.
6. I have the right to follow my own values and standards.
7. I have the right to say no to anything when I feel I am not ready, it is unsafe or it violates my values.
8. I have the right to determine my own priorities.
9. I have the right not to be responsible for others' behavior, actions, feelings or problems
10. I have the right to expect honesty from others.
11. I have the right to be angry at someone I love.
12. I have the right to be uniquely myself.
13. I have the right to feel scared and say '1'm afraid."
14. I have the right to say '1 don't know.
15. I have the right not to give excuses or reasons for my behavior.
16. I have the right to make decisions based on my feelings.
17. I have the right to my own needs for personal space and time.
18. I have the right to be playful and frivolous.
19. I have the right to be healthier than those around me.
20. I have the right to be in a nonabusive environment.
21. I have the right to make friends and be comfortable around people.
22. I have the right to change and grow.
23. I have the right to have my needs and wants respected by others.
24. I have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
25. I have the right to be happy.
1. I have the right to ask for what I want
2. I have the right to. say no to requests or demands I can't meet.
3. I have the right to express all of my feelings, positive or negative.
4. I have the right to change my mind.
5. I have the right to make mistakes and not have to be perfect.
6. I have the right to follow my own values and standards.
7. I have the right to say no to anything when I feel I am not ready, it is unsafe or it violates my values.
8. I have the right to determine my own priorities.
9. I have the right not to be responsible for others' behavior, actions, feelings or problems
10. I have the right to expect honesty from others.
11. I have the right to be angry at someone I love.
12. I have the right to be uniquely myself.
13. I have the right to feel scared and say '1'm afraid."
14. I have the right to say '1 don't know.
15. I have the right not to give excuses or reasons for my behavior.
16. I have the right to make decisions based on my feelings.
17. I have the right to my own needs for personal space and time.
18. I have the right to be playful and frivolous.
19. I have the right to be healthier than those around me.
20. I have the right to be in a nonabusive environment.
21. I have the right to make friends and be comfortable around people.
22. I have the right to change and grow.
23. I have the right to have my needs and wants respected by others.
24. I have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
25. I have the right to be happy.
A LETTER FROM RECOVERY
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Recovery. You may of feared me for a long time but hopefully we can become great partners. In the coming time I will invest a lot in you, and I expect the same from you because I believe you can do it!
In the past you have heard all of your teachers and parents talk about you. You are "so mature", "intelligent", "14 going on 45", and you possess "so much potential". You don't see this but I tell you it is true. You have amazing talents. You are not perfect but that's okay; no one is! All you have to do is try. Your time is not wasted on thinking and talking with friends and drawing. Such acts shall be encouraged!
Your friends try to understand you. They may not, but they try only because they love
you. In the past, when the insecurity has quietly gnawed away at your mind and you asked them, "Do I look....fat?" and they answered "Oh no, of course not".
Why would they lie?! I tell the truth too. Even though your parents yell and scream you know that they love you and care for you. None of this is an obligation. They wouldn't care if they didn't love you! I shall tell you a secret now: deep down inside themselves they are proud of you. Their daughter, the one with so much potential, has done nothing but show them how much of a beautiful young lady she has grown into.
I would never change all that. I will just make it even better!
I expect a lot from you. You are going to have to work hard. I won't lie. But when those thoughts creep into your head and your eating disorder tries to tell you that you're fat and ugly and worthless, I will be here to fall back on to. I will show you that this is not true and you have much to live for. You won't have to count calories binge, purge or restrict food, but rather embrace food and the health and happiness you will receive. For a while you will be moving along with much motivation, but when the first hurdle comes along… don't give up! You will see how much clearer your mind thinks and you won't have to worry about your hair falling out. I will never tell you that you're not good enough.
All that matters is that when you fall down you DO get back up.
I will expect you to follow a meal plan of some kinds or description and decrease your exercise, but is this too much to ask for in exchange to your happiness? I will be here to encourage you. I will help you to release your anger in a positive way and to know it is okay and healthy to feel those feelings of fear and sadness. Don't be afraid. This is the beginning to a life. I am with you always. I am there when you wake up in the morning and are afraid of breakfast. I will help you through it.
The numbers on the scale don't define who you are. And the obsessive thoughts, pray for them to be lower than yesterday, last night, etc. You look into the mirror with dismay, but soon you will see the beauty that stares back at you. You prod and poke at your body, never being satisfied. So I will show you the satisfaction of going through a day without fearing that you will pass out, and the freedom to be able to work and play. I am there when you figure out the plan for the day: 3 meals, 2 snacks and a 10
minute walk. I am the one helping you figure this out because I want to see you happy and healthy.
I fill your mind with positive thoughts and things that are happy to think about. I don't want to rule you; I want to be your friend and your way to a healthy life. The hunger pains show you that you are alive and that your body does work. It needs to be nourished, so give it what it needs for once!
Don't be fake. When you feel sad it is okay to cry. Talk to other people and find support. We cannot do this alone. When mealtimes come around don't be afraid! I will help you. It’s okay; I promise that food will not make you fat. If you eat - all the control your eating disorder has will be broken. I want this for you, but you have to want it too. Those perfect skinned, white teethed, waifish models you see everywhere are not happy. Don't long to be them. You would never live life to the fullest. When you look in the mirror the eating disorder distorts the image. It shows you obesity and hideousness, but I will help you to see the truth. When there is a starving child in the mirror I will change that to a beautiful, healthy, strong, nourished woman. Please eat
again. Our relationship will be beautiful, and your enemy eating disorder will come crashing down and have no control over you.
Sometimes you will have bad days and want to binge or purge or starve yourself, but think about where that will get you? Look back and see how sick you really were and
how you were not happy. Hold onto faith.
When you want to turn back to eating disorder out of fear, ask me for advice because I will help you see reality. I don't want you to hate yourself or to be in any pain. You have to want this also. Our relationship won't be successful if you don't want to help yourself.
When the eating disorder wants you to hurt yourself, bang your head into the wall until you receive a throbbing headache, cut to see your blood, feel you deserve whatever pain it gives you, I tell you don't listen! Why are you going to hurt yourself because other people hurt you? Talk about your hurt instead of stuffing it and you will heal. You are depressed, obsessed, in pain, hurting, reaching out, and I am here. I care!! You are deserving of recovery!
Eating disorders are unfair! They cause you more stress. Thoughts of anger, sadness,
desperation, and loneliness never go away. Calorie counting and obsessions only cover them but that can't last for forever. I help take away these feelings for good by healing and facing them head on.
An eating disorder has a weak spot. We must tell everyone! If you decide to fight back, to reach out to someone and tell them about how it makes you live, all hell will break lose. It has made you a starving hurt child. Fight back!!! When others comment, listen. Cling to everyone that tries to help you let go of your eating disorder. It is your worst asset, and it intends to keep it that way. But it doesn't have to be that way. I am here, I do truly care.
Sincerely,
Recovery
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Recovery. You may of feared me for a long time but hopefully we can become great partners. In the coming time I will invest a lot in you, and I expect the same from you because I believe you can do it!
In the past you have heard all of your teachers and parents talk about you. You are "so mature", "intelligent", "14 going on 45", and you possess "so much potential". You don't see this but I tell you it is true. You have amazing talents. You are not perfect but that's okay; no one is! All you have to do is try. Your time is not wasted on thinking and talking with friends and drawing. Such acts shall be encouraged!
Your friends try to understand you. They may not, but they try only because they love
you. In the past, when the insecurity has quietly gnawed away at your mind and you asked them, "Do I look....fat?" and they answered "Oh no, of course not".
Why would they lie?! I tell the truth too. Even though your parents yell and scream you know that they love you and care for you. None of this is an obligation. They wouldn't care if they didn't love you! I shall tell you a secret now: deep down inside themselves they are proud of you. Their daughter, the one with so much potential, has done nothing but show them how much of a beautiful young lady she has grown into.
I would never change all that. I will just make it even better!
I expect a lot from you. You are going to have to work hard. I won't lie. But when those thoughts creep into your head and your eating disorder tries to tell you that you're fat and ugly and worthless, I will be here to fall back on to. I will show you that this is not true and you have much to live for. You won't have to count calories binge, purge or restrict food, but rather embrace food and the health and happiness you will receive. For a while you will be moving along with much motivation, but when the first hurdle comes along… don't give up! You will see how much clearer your mind thinks and you won't have to worry about your hair falling out. I will never tell you that you're not good enough.
All that matters is that when you fall down you DO get back up.
I will expect you to follow a meal plan of some kinds or description and decrease your exercise, but is this too much to ask for in exchange to your happiness? I will be here to encourage you. I will help you to release your anger in a positive way and to know it is okay and healthy to feel those feelings of fear and sadness. Don't be afraid. This is the beginning to a life. I am with you always. I am there when you wake up in the morning and are afraid of breakfast. I will help you through it.
The numbers on the scale don't define who you are. And the obsessive thoughts, pray for them to be lower than yesterday, last night, etc. You look into the mirror with dismay, but soon you will see the beauty that stares back at you. You prod and poke at your body, never being satisfied. So I will show you the satisfaction of going through a day without fearing that you will pass out, and the freedom to be able to work and play. I am there when you figure out the plan for the day: 3 meals, 2 snacks and a 10
minute walk. I am the one helping you figure this out because I want to see you happy and healthy.
I fill your mind with positive thoughts and things that are happy to think about. I don't want to rule you; I want to be your friend and your way to a healthy life. The hunger pains show you that you are alive and that your body does work. It needs to be nourished, so give it what it needs for once!
Don't be fake. When you feel sad it is okay to cry. Talk to other people and find support. We cannot do this alone. When mealtimes come around don't be afraid! I will help you. It’s okay; I promise that food will not make you fat. If you eat - all the control your eating disorder has will be broken. I want this for you, but you have to want it too. Those perfect skinned, white teethed, waifish models you see everywhere are not happy. Don't long to be them. You would never live life to the fullest. When you look in the mirror the eating disorder distorts the image. It shows you obesity and hideousness, but I will help you to see the truth. When there is a starving child in the mirror I will change that to a beautiful, healthy, strong, nourished woman. Please eat
again. Our relationship will be beautiful, and your enemy eating disorder will come crashing down and have no control over you.
Sometimes you will have bad days and want to binge or purge or starve yourself, but think about where that will get you? Look back and see how sick you really were and
how you were not happy. Hold onto faith.
When you want to turn back to eating disorder out of fear, ask me for advice because I will help you see reality. I don't want you to hate yourself or to be in any pain. You have to want this also. Our relationship won't be successful if you don't want to help yourself.
When the eating disorder wants you to hurt yourself, bang your head into the wall until you receive a throbbing headache, cut to see your blood, feel you deserve whatever pain it gives you, I tell you don't listen! Why are you going to hurt yourself because other people hurt you? Talk about your hurt instead of stuffing it and you will heal. You are depressed, obsessed, in pain, hurting, reaching out, and I am here. I care!! You are deserving of recovery!
Eating disorders are unfair! They cause you more stress. Thoughts of anger, sadness,
desperation, and loneliness never go away. Calorie counting and obsessions only cover them but that can't last for forever. I help take away these feelings for good by healing and facing them head on.
An eating disorder has a weak spot. We must tell everyone! If you decide to fight back, to reach out to someone and tell them about how it makes you live, all hell will break lose. It has made you a starving hurt child. Fight back!!! When others comment, listen. Cling to everyone that tries to help you let go of your eating disorder. It is your worst asset, and it intends to keep it that way. But it doesn't have to be that way. I am here, I do truly care.
Sincerely,
Recovery
THE AWAKENING
Sonny Carroll
There comes a time in your life when you finally get it ... When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out "ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on." And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes you begin to look at the world from a new perspective.
......This is your awakening.
You realize that it is time to stop hoping and waiting for something or someone to change, or for happiness safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that there aren't always fairytale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you. Then a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.
Sonny Carroll
There comes a time in your life when you finally get it ... When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out "ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on." And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes you begin to look at the world from a new perspective.
......This is your awakening.
You realize that it is time to stop hoping and waiting for something or someone to change, or for happiness safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that there aren't always fairytale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you. Then a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.
So you begin making your way through the "reality of today" rather than holding out for the "promise of tomorrow." You realize that much of who you are and the way you navigate through life is, in great part, a result of all the social conditioning you've received over the course of a lifetime. And you begin to sift through all the nonsense you were taught about :
- how you should look and how much you should weigh,
- what you should wear and where you should shop,
- where you should live or what type of car you should drive,
- who you should sleep with and how you should behave,
- who you should marry and why you should stay,
- the importance of bearing children or what you owe your family,
Slowly you begin to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin re-assessing and re-defining who you are and what you really believe in. And you begin to discard the doctrines you have outgrown, or should never have practiced to begin with.
You accept the fact that you are not perfect ,and that not everyone will love appreciate or approve of who or what you are... and that's OK... they are entitled to their own views and opinions. And, you come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 2 or a "perfect 10".... Or a perfect human being for that matter... and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head or agonizing over how you compare. And, you take a long look at yourself in the mirror and you make a promise to give yourself the same unconditional love and support you give so freely to others. Then a sense of confidence is born of self-approval.
- how you should look and how much you should weigh,
- what you should wear and where you should shop,
- where you should live or what type of car you should drive,
- who you should sleep with and how you should behave,
- who you should marry and why you should stay,
- the importance of bearing children or what you owe your family,
Slowly you begin to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin re-assessing and re-defining who you are and what you really believe in. And you begin to discard the doctrines you have outgrown, or should never have practiced to begin with.
You accept the fact that you are not perfect ,and that not everyone will love appreciate or approve of who or what you are... and that's OK... they are entitled to their own views and opinions. And, you come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 2 or a "perfect 10".... Or a perfect human being for that matter... and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head or agonizing over how you compare. And, you take a long look at yourself in the mirror and you make a promise to give yourself the same unconditional love and support you give so freely to others. Then a sense of confidence is born of self-approval.
And, you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" hungry for your next fix, a new dress, another pair of shoes or looks of approval and admiration from family, friends or even strangers who pass by. Then you discover that it is truly in "giving" that we receive, and that the joy & abundance you seek grows out of the giving. You recognize the importance of "creating" and "contributing" rather than "obtaining" and "accumulating."
And you give thanks for the simple things you've been blessed with, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about - a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, the freedom of choice and the opportunity to pursue your own dreams.
And you begin to love and to care for yourself. You stop engaging in self-destructive behaviors, including participating in dysfunctional relationships. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and exercising. And because you've learned that fatigue drains the spirit and creates doubt and fear, you give yourself permission to rest. And just as food is fuel for the body, laughter is fuel for the spirit and so you make it a point to create time for play.
Then you learn about love and relationships - how to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving, and when to walk away. And you allow only the hands of a lover who truly loves and respects you to glorify you with his touch. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say, intentionally or unintentionally, and that not everyone will always come through... and interestingly enough, it's not always about you. So, you stop lashing out and pointing fingers or looking to place blame for the things that were done to you or weren't done for you. And you learn to keep your Ego in check and to acknowledge and redirect the destructive emotions it spawns - anger, jealousy and resentment.
And you give thanks for the simple things you've been blessed with, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about - a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, the freedom of choice and the opportunity to pursue your own dreams.
And you begin to love and to care for yourself. You stop engaging in self-destructive behaviors, including participating in dysfunctional relationships. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and exercising. And because you've learned that fatigue drains the spirit and creates doubt and fear, you give yourself permission to rest. And just as food is fuel for the body, laughter is fuel for the spirit and so you make it a point to create time for play.
Then you learn about love and relationships - how to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving, and when to walk away. And you allow only the hands of a lover who truly loves and respects you to glorify you with his touch. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say, intentionally or unintentionally, and that not everyone will always come through... and interestingly enough, it's not always about you. So, you stop lashing out and pointing fingers or looking to place blame for the things that were done to you or weren't done for you. And you learn to keep your Ego in check and to acknowledge and redirect the destructive emotions it spawns - anger, jealousy and resentment.
You learn how to say "I was wrong" and to forgive people for their own human frailties. You learn to build bridges instead of walls and about the healing power of love as it is expressed through a kind word, a warm smile or a friendly gesture. And, at the same time, you eliminate any relationships that are hurtful
or fail to uplift and edify you. You stop working so hard at smoothing things over and setting your needs aside. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK and that it is your right to want or expect certain things. And you learn the importance of communicating your needs with confidence and grace. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that eventually martyrs are burned at the stake. Then you learn to distinguish between guilt, and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to Say NO. You learn that you don't know all the answers, it's not your
job to save the world and that sometimes you just need to LET GO.
Moreover, you learn to look at people as they really are and not as you would want them to be, and you are careful not to project your neediness or insecurities onto a relationship. You learn that you will not be more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man on your arm or the child that bears your name. You learn that just as people grow and change, so it is with love and relationships, and that that not everyone can always love you the way you would want them to. So you stop appraising your worth by the measure of love you are given. And suddenly you realize that it's wrong to demand that someone live their life or sacrifice their dreams just to serve your needs, ease your insecurities, or meet "your" standards and expectations. You learn that the only love worth giving and receiving is the love that is given freely without conditions or limitations. And you learn what it means to love.
So you stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn that "alone" does not mean "lonely" and you begin to discover the joy of spending time "with yourself" and "on yourself." Then you discover the greatest and most fulfilling love you will ever know - Self Love. And so it comes to pass that, through understanding, your heart heals; and now all new things are possible.
Moving along, you begin to avoid Toxic people and conversations. And you stop wasting time and energy rehashing your situation with family and friends. You learn that talk doesn't change things and that unrequited wishes can only serve to keep you trapped in the past. So you stop lamenting over what could or should have been and you make a decision to leave the past behind. Then you begin to invest your time and energy to affect positive change. You take a personal inventory of all your strengths and weaknesses and the areas you need to improve in order to move ahead, you set your goals and map out a plan of action to see things through.
You learn that life isn't always fair and you don't always get what you think you deserve, and you stop personalizing every loss or disappointment. You learn to accept that sometimes bad things happen to good people and that these things are not an act of God... but merely a random act of fate.
And you stop looking for guarantees, because you've learned that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected and that whatever happens, you'll learn to deal with it.
or fail to uplift and edify you. You stop working so hard at smoothing things over and setting your needs aside. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK and that it is your right to want or expect certain things. And you learn the importance of communicating your needs with confidence and grace. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that eventually martyrs are burned at the stake. Then you learn to distinguish between guilt, and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to Say NO. You learn that you don't know all the answers, it's not your
job to save the world and that sometimes you just need to LET GO.
Moreover, you learn to look at people as they really are and not as you would want them to be, and you are careful not to project your neediness or insecurities onto a relationship. You learn that you will not be more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man on your arm or the child that bears your name. You learn that just as people grow and change, so it is with love and relationships, and that that not everyone can always love you the way you would want them to. So you stop appraising your worth by the measure of love you are given. And suddenly you realize that it's wrong to demand that someone live their life or sacrifice their dreams just to serve your needs, ease your insecurities, or meet "your" standards and expectations. You learn that the only love worth giving and receiving is the love that is given freely without conditions or limitations. And you learn what it means to love.
So you stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn that "alone" does not mean "lonely" and you begin to discover the joy of spending time "with yourself" and "on yourself." Then you discover the greatest and most fulfilling love you will ever know - Self Love. And so it comes to pass that, through understanding, your heart heals; and now all new things are possible.
Moving along, you begin to avoid Toxic people and conversations. And you stop wasting time and energy rehashing your situation with family and friends. You learn that talk doesn't change things and that unrequited wishes can only serve to keep you trapped in the past. So you stop lamenting over what could or should have been and you make a decision to leave the past behind. Then you begin to invest your time and energy to affect positive change. You take a personal inventory of all your strengths and weaknesses and the areas you need to improve in order to move ahead, you set your goals and map out a plan of action to see things through.
You learn that life isn't always fair and you don't always get what you think you deserve, and you stop personalizing every loss or disappointment. You learn to accept that sometimes bad things happen to good people and that these things are not an act of God... but merely a random act of fate.
And you stop looking for guarantees, because you've learned that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected and that whatever happens, you'll learn to deal with it.
And you learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time - FEAR itself. So you learn to step right into and through your fears, because to give into fear is to give away the right to live life on your terms. You learn that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophesy and you learn to go after what you want and not to squander your life living under a cloud of indecision or feelings of impending doom.
Then, YOU LEARN ABOUT MONEY... the personal power and independence it brings
and the options it creates. And you recognize the necessity to create your own personal wealth. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart's desire. And a sense of power is born of self-reliance. And you live with honor and integrity because you know that these principles are not the outdated ideals of a by-gone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build your life. And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting and to stay open to every wonderful opportunity and exciting possibility. Then you hang a wind chime outside your window to remind yourself what beauty there is in Simplicity.
Finally, with courage in your heart and with God by your side you take a stand, you FAKE a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.
Then, YOU LEARN ABOUT MONEY... the personal power and independence it brings
and the options it creates. And you recognize the necessity to create your own personal wealth. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart's desire. And a sense of power is born of self-reliance. And you live with honor and integrity because you know that these principles are not the outdated ideals of a by-gone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build your life. And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting and to stay open to every wonderful opportunity and exciting possibility. Then you hang a wind chime outside your window to remind yourself what beauty there is in Simplicity.
Finally, with courage in your heart and with God by your side you take a stand, you FAKE a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.
A word about the Power of Prayer: In some of my darkest, most painful and
frightening hours, I have prayed, not for the answers to my prayers or for material things, but for my "God" to help me find the strength, confidence and courage to persevere; to face each day and to do what I must do.
Remember this:- You are an expression of the almighty. The spirit of God resides within you and moves through you. Open your heart, speak to that spirit and it will heal and empower you. My "God" has never failed me.
frightening hours, I have prayed, not for the answers to my prayers or for material things, but for my "God" to help me find the strength, confidence and courage to persevere; to face each day and to do what I must do.
Remember this:- You are an expression of the almighty. The spirit of God resides within you and moves through you. Open your heart, speak to that spirit and it will heal and empower you. My "God" has never failed me.