As a youngster, I was profoundly moved by Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech. And still to this day whenever I listen to it again, shivers run down my spine. This is arguably the greatest speech ever delivered in the history of recorded speeches. As I’ve studied this historic event, there’s one thing I notice about it that I believe makes it so timeless, eternal and moving – Martin Luther King proclaimed, “I have a dream…” Notice how he did not say, ” I have a strategic plan everybody” Can you imagine how flat his words would have fallen, or how it would be so much easier to disengage if he, or anyone, would try to enroll us in their “strategic plan?” Somehow, as humans, we are so much more inspired when we share our dreams with one another. Do you have a dream for the world? Do you have a dream for your own life? For your loved ones? For what healing can truly look like for the planet? Yes, strategic plans are necessary to get things done, but a dream, a vision, that comes from the deepest place of our soul can set the world on fire.
From a very early age I experienced the magical way that food can have a profound impact on health. Diet helped shift me from an allergic asthmatic mess-of-a-kid to a vibrant participant in life. As I learned more about the science of eating and the impact of food on the body, it was hard not to notice how food shapes our world in so many ways.
So I started to dream about the possibilities.
I dream of a time when food is no longer about famine or hunger or starvation or lack. I dream about a world that shares. I dream of a time when food, for those who have enough, is no longer about weight and body image and internal suffering. I dream of a time when food is simply about nourishment and celebration. I dream of a time when those who manage the production of our food grow it and create it in humane and natural ways. I dream of a food chain that’s vibrant, healthy and real. And for those who struggle with their health, I dream of a time when we not only have the knowledge to truly heal the body, but the heart to go deep into the places where healing truly occurs.
I also find it very helpful, and perhaps even necessary, to have a dream for my clients. If you’re a helping professional, I recommend such a strategy. My dream for clients and students and those whom I mentor is simply this: That they become the fullest and most beautiful creative human expression of who they can possibly be on planet Earth. That they reach their fullest personal potential on every level. When we set such a high bar for our clients, such a powerful dream, we’re putting first things first. We’re acknowledging that yes, goals such as weight loss and great health are important, but who we are at the deepest level of our humanity comes first. Oftentimes, health of the soul precedes health of the body. And I strongly believe that when we help our clients along the road to their greatest potential, we are actually helping their metabolism become all that IT is meant to be. Body and mind can’t help but reflect one another. By helping your client with their personal world, you’re helping them transform their metabolic world.
Despite what goes on in the world of medical insurance, in hospitals, in the pharmaceutical companies, in the diet industry – health is not a business. It’s a calling. It touches the sacred. It asks us to look deeper, to put aside our shortcomings, and to serve. Of course, if you’re in the helping and healing professions, you assuredly need to make a living and to be well-rewarded for your good work. Fortunately, I’ve noticed that such success is forthcoming when we do our service well, when we give our truest gifts, when we honor the mystery of healing, and when we remember the sacredness of our work.
Have a dream for yourself, for your health, your life, your work.
If you serve others, please have a dream that not only includes your wonderful career success, but also the special gifts you share that can make the most lasting and memorable difference in the lives of others.
I would love to hear from you. I know I don’t get to meet many of you personally, but I do make sure to read all your comments on my blogs. What’s your dream for food, nutrition and health?
My warmest regards,
Founder of the Institute for the Psychology of Eating
P.S. -
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GREAT article Marc. I am much more likely to achieve my goals when I am staying in line with my intentions and my DREAMS! My dreams uplift me and inspire me and motivate me, I can get so passionate talking about my DREAMS that I tear up (with joy). Goals, to me, used to just feel like ‘shoulds’. It has been very difficult for me, until recently, to use my DREAMS to fuel my goals! I’ve found the sweet spot. Love this article!
Hi Jocelyn,
Instead of having your goals forcefully push you forward, your dreams and visions are now naturally pulling you towards them.
What a gift you’ve found.
Warmly,
Marc David
Hi Marc David,
I’ve been following you for quite some time and was especially touched by this latest blog, “What is Your Nutritional Dream.” Well – my partner and I are certainly following ours and actually making it become a reality. America’s 10 City Challenge is a grass roots initiative to help America get healthy. We are providing a free one month challenge to participants from 10 of the countries fattest states (according to the CDC database of 2011) to become healthier. We are marketing this as a weight loss challenge but truly we are educating people on how to become healthier – weight loss is simply an added bonus. The first month focuses on nutrition as this is where people will see the largest impact of their changes. After the one month challenge, we hope to then focus on other aspects of people’s lives in helping them achieve optimal physical, emotional and spiritual health. What makes our program unique is that we are recruiting health coaches from around the country to provide support and guidance to the participants. Please visit our health coach website where interested individuals can learn more about us and how they can become part of this amazing movement. I welcome your thoughts and insight. Thanks so much for what you do!
Jan
Hi Jan,
It sounds as if America’s 10 City Challenge is quite a worthwhile endeavor that you and your partner have taken on! It is grassroots organizations like yours that help to spread important ideological messages across America; thank you for your commitment to the future of a healthier nation.
Warmly,
Marc David
Hi Marc,
I just finished reading your article, and I am in awe at how much your words resonate with my own “world dream”. I was just talking to my 17-year-old daughter about the corruption and control in those industries and how much I want to see it change. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that one person can change the world, but there is so much evidence otherwise. Since I have changed my eating lifestyle, almost my entire family, many friends, and readers of my online magazine have done so as well. This excites me, as it is my dream coming true in small part. I’m so glad I found your site. I’ve been working to help women to be empowered, healthy, and to discover purpose for almost four years now with my website, coaching, and writing. I only wish all of that could be visible to more people….you know, the big break that changes everything. I feel it’s coming. In the meantime, I will dream, DO, and effect those who have been put into my life for now. Keep dreaming!
Peace,
Kellie
Hi Kellie,
How amazing that you have found your true passion – helping people find their way into a whole new approach to weight, body image, mind body nutrition and so much more.
Wherever life takes you, never stop dreaming…
Warmly,
Marc David
Marc you have a special way of speaking to one’s soul. Thank you for sharing your eloquently and deeply meaningful words for ourselves and those we serve. cheers, mira
Hi Mira,
Thank you for your kind words!
We are pleased to have you as part of this community.
Warmly,
Marc David
This as truly inspiring and encouraged me to dream of a future where high tech, research and body resonance can all exist and encourage exuberant engaged eating. Having been someone who was brutally compulsive about food from the age of 2 struggling through the experience of addiction to food and morbid obesity for the next 20 years, then believing that management was as good as it got, and now finally through brain chemistry technology and your inspirational work I have evolved into a new vision of truly engaged eating way beyond worrying and weighing.
Thank you !
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for sharing the personal details of your journey; it is always an inspiration to me when I hear of those who have traded worrying and weighing for truly living!
Congratulations, Nancy.
Warmly,
Marc David
wow! it is beautiful…
inspires me to take a new look at the dreams that, unfortunately, usually take a back-seat in my conscious thinkings…
thanks Marc
Hi Gunja,
Keep those dreams on the forefront; dreams inspire and motivate us in the deepest ways.
Warmly,
Marc David
Hey Marc, you are such a great writer and teacher and mentor. I just read the book Tuesdays with Morrie which I really loved, and there is a great quotation in there from Henry Adams, “A teacher affects eternity: he can never tell where his influence stops.” Your teaching is definitely eternal, thank you! Rebecca
Hi Rebecca,
Thank you for your kind words. It’s our greatest hope that all of our graduates find the inspiration to inspire others; teaching is, indeed, an eternal gift!
Warmly,
Marc David
Marc,
Your posts inspire all of us to DREAM. Your inspirational insights and posts give us all hope. Most of us who have found out a health issue was evaporated by a change in food choices are true believers and followers of your sound nutritional advice, Myself, my clients and family have all had the same wonderful experience as yourself. Please continue to speak and teach all of us. Thank you. WE LOVE YOU!
sincerely
joe
Hi Joe,
We love that you are so loyal and dedicated to this work!
Look how many lives you have changed already, your clients and family are blessed to have you in their lives.
Warm regards,
Marc David
Hi marc!!!
Sincerely, Your words have touched me deeply because I have the same dreams… and I wrote in my blog what are my dreams, because I’m a nutritionist.
Thank you so much for sharing your dreams and making us dreamers.
Hi Rocio,
Thank you for taking these words to heart!
Dreams are part of the essence of life, and we are so glad you are exploring them.
Warmly,
Marc David
Marc,
I have been following you for awhile now and truly appreciate your approach to nutrition and wellness. For much of my youth health, diet, weight and body image were confusing and stress provoking topics. Eventually I made peace with my body and with food and my whole life changed and now know what optimal health looks and feels like for me. I am honored to be a health coach at my church and over the last couple of years have watched others realize that our health is a stewardship and is so much more than a number on a scale or percentage of body fat. Watching others achieve their dreams and find the nutritional wisdom that promotes a vibrant, well balanced life is so rewarding. I sincerely hope to be able to enroll in the Institute for the Psychology of Eating at some point in time.
Thank you for your work.
Hi Hillary,
What a gift that you found greater peace and acceptance of yourself.
It sounds like you are making a huge impact on your community.
You are living your dream.
We would love to have you in our training and we will follow up in an email!
Warmly,
Marc David
Dear Marc, another example of an excellent article. As so many of yours! I wish I could do more to spread your words, I put them on FB often, I refer to you often, and I hope you will write many many new articles in the future we can use! Thanks for your inspiration! StayRaw, Gwendolyn
Hi Gwendolyn,
Thank you very much for your contribution to this field of work and for spreading the good word.
Comments like yours give me even more motivation to continue writing.
We are glad you are part of this community!
Warm regards,
Marc David
Hi everyone,
Karna here, Director of Student Relations at the Institute.
Thank you for all your kind comments!
Warmly,
Karna Nau