July 26, 2006
Is Food Your Best
Friend?
On Monday’s
blog entry, I talked about how, as a child, I learned to
turn to food to comfort me when I was lonely. Yesterday, I learned
about a study
revealing that Americans are lonelier than they have ever been
before. Now, I’m not a scientist, sociologist or statistician,
but it certainly makes me wonder if that's one of the reasons
that Americans have such a problem with weight loss.
Not long ago, my Pastor mentioned that during the daily bike
rides he takes with his wife, he notices all the glowing screens
inside the houses and wonders if families spend very much time
talking with each other anymore.
I blame my loneliness on my singleness. But this study made
me think it’s not just singles who struggle with feeling
alone.
The study, conducted by sociologists at Duke and the University
of Arizona, found that the number of "socially isolated"
Americans has doubled since 1985.
Years ago, I remember hearing a warning that America would
be in trouble it idn’t learn to be high touch as it became
more high tech.
We have more ways of contacting each other than ever. But apparently
the discussions taking place with cell phones, e-mail and text
messages are not making us feel more connected to each other.
Personally, I don't find these tools as helpful in establishing
relationships as they are for supporting those that have already
been established through good old fashioned face to face contact.
I believe the Lord created us to need one another. And I believe
that He cares about our need for friends and satisfying relationships
just as much as He cares about our other basic needs like food
and shelter.
So may the Lord bless you with wonderful friends and improved
family relationships as you continue your weight loss journey.
Be sure to sign on to our message
board to support other Christians in their weight loss efforts.
God bless you,
Linda
Previous blogs: How
I got Roped into This, Dodging
the Donuts, Why
Losing Weight Takes Faith, When
the Scales Won't Budge, Ask
the Experts, Sweet
Scale Success, Are
You Having Fun Yet?, All
or Nothing, Weapons
For Your Weight Loss War, Winning
the Weight Loss Battle,
Eating Over Anger, Your
Weight Loss Season, Weight
Loss By the Numbers, My
Love Affair With Food