I was moved by the article by Oprah Winfrey in the January edition of O magazine, where she talks about her weight gain and the struggle she has had keeping slim. She has realised that she has been using food as her drug of choice to combat her lack of self love. This has manifested in overwork and people pleasing of the highest magnitude. As Marianne Williamson pointed out – it’s not the overweight Oprah that is standing in front of her but the unloved one. I suppose I was especially taken with this article because it’s easy to assume that someone as rich and famous as Oprah would have it sussed by now.  The fact that she hasn’t means that we can all take some comfort from the fact that whoever we are we can still have problems and issues about ourselves that need to be resolved if we are to be happy and content with our lives. Until we do so, we cannot live a joyful existence. Oprah decided to take a month off where she slept when she felt like it, eating pure, simple, nourishing food and re- introducing some physical activity. She has fallen foul to undiagnosed thyroid problems which has meant exercise has left her scared and panicky and easily fatigued but she is now back on track, walking her dogs and enjoying nature. She is making herself No 1 priority for 2009 and I think we should all do the same. We cannot function at our best if we are constantly looking after others’ needs before our own. I always think of airline safety procedures when anyone argues with me over this. In case of emergency, you are told always to look after yourself before tending to children or the elderly. Why? Because without your help, they will not survive and by putting yourself first you are then in a position to help and assist. Putting them first could mean that you don’t survive and then they too will die. So whether your drug of choice is food, alcohol, nicotine, sex, gambling, shopping or being a people pleaser, I urge you to take some time for your own needs. Reading a book, having coffee with friends, doing something totally new and exciting or doing absolutely nothing at all  – if this is what pleases you then go ahead. It’s fine to do so and it should be totally guilt free. You are your own best friend and so you deserve to love yourself as such. We only have one life, we should learn to embrace and enjoy it to the full. As we get older time seems to move more quickly. Don’t look back on your life with regret but make the most of every single moment.