Meeting Myself

My review of a great little book...

MEETING MYSELF: Snippets of a Binging and Bulging Mind

by Brenda J. Wood

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At first glance the cover of this book tells you it is about someone who has an eating disorder. Which is true. But what it doesn’t tell you is how intimately Brenda reveals her struggle with her own self loathing and how she slowly is able to find her way back to loving herself and healing through her faith.

Her sense of humour and clever use of metaphor gently carries the reader through her painful and inspiring journey.

I received many gifts from this book that either enlightened me or reinforced what I already believed.

Gift Number One:

Eating disorders of all kinds come from a place of self-loathing. Mostly, self-loathing comes from a history of physical or emotional abuse.

Brenda journals “I always believed I would be a better person if only I were thin.”

Cognitively we know that thin people are not better people nor are overweight people unlovable. But in the self-loathing mind, creating a flawed exterior provides a false sense of security. Without that mask, they have to look at and deal with the “why” which is the pain that got them there. There is much less agony in the moment to just keep binging.

Gift Number Two:

In her struggle with her faith in god she writes, “He must not love me. That is why I am unable to love him back.”

I am beginning to believe that true faith (of any kind) will only be achieved if you feel you are loveable. Even a glimmer of the beautiful light of love or worthiness can be the impetus for change. Brenda sees that glimmer through God and the shift begins to take hold.

Gift Number Three:

Even after conquering the bulimic beast, the suffering still continued. Brenda writes: “God started to point out that total freedom involves forgiveness.”

This is something I firmly believe and try to live by. Forgiveness is a selfish act. Without it you will never be able to shed your past and live fully in the moment.

Gift Number Four:

She realized that “He (God) was seeking righteous fruit, not a religious nut.”

I am fortunate to know Brenda. I admire her in many ways. One of which is her quiet and steady faith. I was raised in the midst of a family that included some confused, judgmental and disingenuous church goers. I think that they confused the "doing" of being a Christian with the "being" of a Christian.  

Brenda’s wisdom and humour is a true gift to any reader. I encourage you to join her on her journey of courage and enlightenment. You won’t regret it.


Meeting Myself is available on AMAZON & GREAT CANADIAN AUTHOR.

Bookstores, schools, churches and ministries may purchase copies directly through Word Alive Inc., by calling customer services at 1-800-665-1468 or through the website: WORLDALIVE.CA 

More from Brenda J. Wood: Heartfelt Devotionals