The God Box

There are many useful tools in my Bright Line Eating toolbox and in this week’s Vlog, I talk about the one that I turn to when I’m in an impossibly difficult situation. I call it a God box or a God jar, but you may choose to call it something different (in BLE, we take care to be faith-neutral). Curious? Watch to hear the details.


Comments

  1. Ma At

    Halloween this year is a full moon and the second one for October, thus a blue moon! It might be a day to reread as you have suggested, great idea though.

    Reply ·
  2. Steve Camp

    Susan, we loved this Vlog and know for ourselves the power of such letters. You being so candid and open as you are, I only wish that you had shared just one of your letters. It would’ve been a powerful sharing that many of us need to hear in order to fully understand. This is not a criticism; it’s a suggestion for future consideration. Love & Light, Steve

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  3. Helen Roberts Spingola

    My diaries go back years; wrote pretty much of what happened – god and bad – but come to think of it, not much
    difference in keeping a diary from a GOD box, is there?

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  4. teresa

    Love the God box idea
    On New Years Eve I burn all of my notes/letters to start the New Year with a clean slate so to speak

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  5. Phil

    Phil Gee, I’ve always found your thoughts and insights a gift, this happens to be another, Mahaloilgru

    Reply ·
  6. Clare Gomez

    Susan,

    Susan, This vlog couldn’t have come at a better time. Your vlog has given me some hope where a few minutes ago there was none. It has penetrated my cynical, jaded self at a time when I really needed help.

    For 2 years, I’ve been on a mission to get healthier. I call this mission Honouring the Temple. I have had multiple sclerosis for 20 years and 8 years ago contracted Guillain-Barré syndrome. Through this period of time I became extremely obese. I started Honouring the Temple with a whole foods plant based plan and then I found BLE. I have continued doing WFPB with BLE for about 9 months now and I have lost a total of 134 pounds with about 55 pounds left to go and with huge improvement in my health and mobility. I’m a crystalvaser, my food has become automatic and I have much peace around it. However, doing BLE and the courses that go with it, while coming from big numbers with my health challenges has been hugely time consuming. So much so that I have not been able to focus much time on the things that matter most to me, my sculpture, but I figured as I near maintenance, this situation would improve so I’ve just allowed it be (another form of bunny slippers). I know Ari Whitten said that losing weight is tantamount to training for a marathon.

    Unfortunately I recently got evicted from my sculpture studio because my landlady wants to turn it into an apartment for her daughter. I live in a city where finding studio space at a reasonable price is near impossible and in the middle of COVID, it 100 timesworse. My situation is making me question the purpose of my being a visual artist at all and that is a painful place to be. I’ve been an artist all my life. I have had a studio since I was 19, even while doing my BSc. My whole life had been dedicated to the practice of making art. I have an honours BFA in sculpture and did MFA at UCLA on a full scholarship. I did a summer at Skowhegan School for Painting and Sculpture and a summer a Banff Centre for the arts. I’ve exhibited internationally and have received awards and grants for my work. And before MS I taught art at colleges and universities. Yet recently I’m having to ask myself if I can’t find a studio , if I have nowhere that I can afford to make my art can I still be an artist?

    So I’ve been struggling on what to do. I’m a sculptor/installation artist I have a lot of equipment, tools and materials , as well as my art work . Do I sell everything, junk what I can sell and throw in the towel. I’m not actively spiritual. Yet I realize, I do believe in something at times, whether it is divine female energy, cosmic energy, god, goddess all that is or a natural force I’m not certain. My problem seem insurmountable and intractable. so I’m surrendering to the universe and placing my words for assistance on paper and place them in a box. Oddly enough, I’ve have a collection of boxes that I started collecting as a child. I just need to start. I need to surrender. I’ll let you know how it goes.

    Reply ·
    1. HEIDI YALOWITZ LASSER

      Hello to Claire Gomez – I would like to know how it goes. I don’t read comments under VLOGs as a general rule but this time my instincts told me to scroll down; I wasn’t sure about doing a God Box and was curious about others’ reactions to the concept. Perhaps I didn’t feel I trusted God/ Universe enough to resolve tough problems for me. Then I saw read your post, and felt hopeful for you, I lost my skepticism because I felt a surge of faith on your behalf. In so doing, I could circle back to myself and conclude that the Universe will hear me as well.

      Reply ·
    2. Bright Line Eating

      Clare,

      Thank you for sharing what’s on your heart and in your mind. You’ve asked a poignant question. “If I have nowhere that I can afford to make my art can I still be an artist?” What do you think is the answer to that question? (We’d say you’re still an artist, but what do you think?)

      Please give us an update. We send loving hope that you may find an answer that will bring you peace. 🧡🧡🧡

      Reply ·
  7. Linda Polster

    Well, I understand why you need to generalize ’GOD’, since few people today, even if religious, understand there to be a God, an actual person, who has a name and personality just as we do, (remember we were created in his image), and who knows us personally to the point of knowing the numbers of hairs on our heads. When I pray, it’s like speaking to someone who I’ve come to know personally. Someone who listens to my prayers himself. Someone who gives practical help to endure this world. Someone who has made huge personal sacrifices for our future. Someone who loves us.

    I feel awful for anyone who does not have this in their life. And I don’t mean this to be condescending or arrogant. I wish this was a gift I could bestow on everyone. ( believe me though that this is available to anyone who wants it) I just don’t see how putting a letter in a box will help with our struggles. Even when you reach out to a friend for help you call a specific number, and expect a specific person to answer. When you send a letter it’s to a specific address, even a specific department. I hope this makes some sense.

    When we’ve looked into weight-loss programs, we had to be specific with our search to find you. There is only one Susan Pierce Thompson. Otherwise we could be in WW or some other mostly useless program.

    I respect you as an academic, and as a human being, someone who was smart and intuitive enough to design this amazing lifestyle program . (And I can tell that you genuinely care about ALL of your followers.) It works, because we are working with the natural system that our Creator designed, not manufactured food-like substances found in the center aisles of every grocery store.

    I’ve tried to generalize these statements as much as possible, so as hopefully not to offend anyone. You are all worthy of the best life can offer. Each special, each precious.

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  8. Laurel

    This is unrelated to the subject of this vlog, but when did “language” become a verb? (It’s a noun.) Susan – I can’t figure out if you have some neurological deficit (e.g., nominal aphasia) or if you’re just trying to be cool using a new jargon when you said you would “language this tool.” Do you mean, perhaps, describe, explain, characterize, develop, or design?

    Sorry, but I still believe that people are more credible if they use language everyone can understand. I stopped listening when I was distracted by your misuse of language.

    Reply ·
    1. Clare Gomez

      Laurel,
      I’m so sorry that Susan using the noun ‘language’ as verb was so distracting for you because the content of her vlog was so meaningful and useful to me at this time. I did of course notice her use of ‘language’ as verb, yet found it clarified things for me. I thought that her intention was the opposite of what you expressed. I believe Susan was trying to make her use of the term ‘God Box’ more acceptable and more to the point for those of us who do not recognize a single God in our spiritual practice or who are intentionally atheist or agnostic. However, I do understand your irritation with language that seems unclear or confusing. I went through grad school at the height of the of Pos-Structuralism. This post-structuralist language crept into academia particularly in the liberal arts and social sciences. Using ‘language’ as a noun and turning verbs into nouns is fairly common now and I too sometime find it irritating especially when ’language’ as verb comes out of the mouth of the current president of United States in relation to Palestine and Israel. I was blaming this practice on Post-Structuralist language creeping into mainstream culture. Your comment made me do a little research and expanded my day in and delightful way, so thank you. I think you might find this article interesting:

      https://daily.jstor.org/in-which-we-science-why-nouns-become-verbs-because-language/

      Reply ·
      1. Laurel

        Clara – Thanks for your comments. The fact that you inferred one meaning from her words and I inferred another points to the real problem here. When people invent new words that have no clear meaning, we each try to make sense of it by deploying our own interpretations, which may not accurately reflect the intention of the original speaker/writer. I guess that “to language” means to describe; you’re guessing an entirely different set of intentions. Wouldn’t it make more sense for her to actually be more precise, thereby eliminating the need for this conversation?

        And yeah, I also know about post structuralism, deconstruction, semiotics, etc, which has made its way into the public discourse. Unlike you, I don’t ascribe Susan’s impulse to “language” as philosophical exercise intended to test the limits of language. Business jargon has long relied on neologisms as a way to infer originality (often when the concept isn’t original at all), hence, today we encounter such nonsense words as “superpower” to replace the words aptitude or talent, or “ping” as in “ping me,” instead of saying “call me,” or “text me” or “e-mail me” (and again, no one knows exactly to what action ping refers.

        All that said, I recognize that my words carry little weight and likely won’t influence SPT and her word choice. But I sure hope I don’t hear anyone else language, because I still don’t quite know what that means.

        Best regards,

        Laurel

        Reply ·
        1. Katherine

          Laurel — thank you for speaking up about “language” as a verb. It annoyed, and more importantly, distracted me. The other thing that distracts me is the long digression about what to call the box, and that all are welcome in BLE, whether “religious” or not. Why not just say that concisely, and go on to use a neutral term throughout the blog?
          So anyway, hope that you are wrong about your words carrying little weight.
          cheers,
          kt

          Reply ·
    2. Susanna

      I’ve been listening/watching SPT for years now. I would be hard-pressed to think of another person as articulate, precise, and careful with language as she is. I am generally impressed with how easy it is to listen to her. I am generally annoyed by nonstandard use of language but I’m going to cut her some slack for “verbifying” here.

      Reply ·
  9. Amanda

    I love this. I used to have a gratitude jar.. But, I find this fits me better and I usually have my lunch listening to your vlog.

    Thanks

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  10. Brandi

    I do something similar with a gratitude jar. I write the date and something I’m grateful for happening on a piece of paper and throw it in the jar. On New Years Eve I’ll paste them into a book to reflect on over the years.

    Reply ·
  11. Raven

    Thank you for this. I am in the beginning of (what feels like) a powerful rezoom, and this vlog really helped because although I am pagan and don’t worship “God” per se, the spiritual part of this journey is the most important part, and I had completely forgotten it. Thank you for reminding me. I am thinking of going on a “pilgrimage” — going out to thrift stores, yard sales, Main Street boutiques, etc. and just looking for something that calls to me to be the right container for these letters. Lovely. Thank you again so much!

    Reply ·
    1. Bright Line Eating

      Wonderful! We’d love to hear what you find (or what finds you!). 🧡

      Reply ·
  12. Heather Ryan

    WOW I think you are reading my mind lol I have only just restarted using my GOD box last couple weeks – I made it ages ago in OA and rarely used it but I still feel like I am acting AS IF with a GOD, I am a agnostic for sure and believe there is something out there but have I guess felt I am helped in GOD time not my time lol so my first port of call has always been outreach to a sponsor or buddy but lately I am finding it useful nightly to just put a note in there of what I need help with or even just to say thanks 🙂

    As always SPT I love your vlogs and your presence really is a gift to me xxxxx

    Reply ·
  13. Rosie

    Nice Vlog, Susan! I’m a Christian and I can resonate, though I’ve never written things down. It would be interesting to go back and read those old feelings though! Great idea.

    Reply ·
  14. Jack Pullin

    Thanks for the little talk enjoyed,

    Reply ·
  15. Susan

    Hi Susan: Excellent vlog. I am a believer in God, however, I also at times pray to The Universe as another option.

    Reply ·
  16. Amma

    Thank you for this beautiful and inspiring message. I am at a very low point in my life and not sure I can stick with the BLE program, but with your vlog, I can work on giving this to God and asking for His help. I bought a beautiful wooden box last year and have been pondering how I would use it. Now I have some clear direction. Thank you, Susan.

    Reply ·
    1. Bright Line Eating

      Sending love to you during this low point you are experiencing, Amma. 🧡

      Reply ·
  17. patricia

    Susan , such a wonderful vlog . I love it… let go and let God!

    Reply ·
  18. Sylvie Cusson

    Love it excellent idea. Thk you for sharing ❤

    Reply ·
  19. Bridget Ann Kelly

    I loved the image of a child bringing something to a higher/ stronger power when she just can’
    t fix, untangle or open something.
    Very much relate.
    Bless you and thank you, SPT and BLE!!

    Reply ·
  20. RL Lamson Kentucky

    Instead of writing letters I read letters found in the Bible.it is a letter from God. it is a look into the past and a very good guide today and in the future.its like an owners manual we get when we buy a new car it’s the owners manual for our life, we can trouble shoot any problem in life and it shows us how to have a happy life now and gives us the prospect of living forever at a young age in a paradise earth,never growing old or dieting.

    Reply ·
    1. Bright Line Eating

      Thank you for sharing the practice that serves you well, RL. 🧡

      Reply ·
  21. Karen

    I love going through the notes I put in my god box ages afterwards and seeing that the thing I was so upset about had resolved itself. Great feel of relief when I put a note in. In the first place. Surrender.

    Reply ·
  22. Paula

    This is a good idea but I find the same satisfaction and relief with journaling.

    Reply ·
  23. Sam DuBois

    Nice, thanks! When someone does something to me, I write it down, put it away, and let go. Like the ceremony of burning these little papers, except I am so organized, I don’t have to burn them. They must be somewhere!

    Reply ·
  24. Dawn

    Thank you Susan for sharing so much about yourself and your experience, strength and hope. I will use this tool

    Reply ·
  25. Beth K.

    I call it a God can. Anything I can’t do God can. I have great success.

    Reply ·
    1. Jo Ann

      I love that Beth! I have a God box but I think I’m going to make a new can instead. 😀❤️

      Reply ·
    2. Paula

      Love this!

      Reply ·
    3. Rosie

      God Can! Very nice play on words, Beth K., especially if it is a tin of some kind…

      Reply ·
    4. Millie

      Love “I can’t – God Can” concept. I have my old metal can I decorated in the Craft section of a weekend conference years ago. It’s full and treasured. But isn’t that a great idea of using it as a craft project for workshops – Decorate your own… I’m saving Planter’s Cashew contains because they have lids, and can be painted or covered w/paper or cloth… can’t wait for our next “Serenity Weekend” to share this. \0/

      Reply ·
    5. Linda

      Great idea that reinforces what you believe! Thank you!

      Reply ·
  26. kimra douglass

    I thinknot is a fabulous idea to incorporate this in conjunction with the desire to be healthy physically. So much of why I’m not as healthy as I want to is more mental that what i actually eat. Thank you.

    Reply ·
  27. Lisa

    I loved this, I have done something similar as part of the WRAP program (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) but I currently have an old sewing tin of my Mum’s and I was wondering what to do with it. Now I know exactly what I’m going to do with it.

    Reply ·
  28. Nancy W, Goss

    I can see great v alum in The God Box.

    Reply ·
  29. Igor Polovinkin

    This is new age doctrine. False trust!
    Through your self upon The Lord Jesus Christ alone. Why??? .
    “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
    ‭‭ “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””
    ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

    Reply ·
  30. Abdul Hameed

    Hi there I try to watch the video but their is no voice, would you chick and Resent to me

    Reply ·
    1. Bright Line Eating

      Hi Abdul,

      Oh no! We’re so sorry you’re having trouble with the audio. Can you please be sure to check the volume and your device? Perhaps try another device or browser as well. We’d hate for you to miss out because of an audio issue! 🧡

      Reply ·
  31. Lu

    Very timely. I wish I had one 50 + years ago. I have so much that I have to work through – so much that I need to heal from – old wounds that seem fresh – like a very deep cat scratch that “edges” when one breaths due to the scratch being so deep that it damaged nerves – yet it seemingly won’t heal. I need to make this God box. I feel in making it will be the first act of my surrender. Thank you for taking the time to blog.

    Reply ·
    1. Bright Line Eating

      Sending loving and healing thoughts to you, Lu. May you be well. 🧡

      Reply ·
  32. Shawna

    I love my God Box! It’s a reminder to me that I am not the director in this play. As I trust my Heavenly Father to untangle my mess, I’m almost always shocked at how much better it turns out then if I struggle on it myself. Of course, I do my part, but the rest is trusting God’s timing iand his will. Thank you Susan: for such a beautiful insightful blog, as always!

    Reply ·
  33. Thais Abernethy-McClure

    What you’re talking about is called “forgiveness” in my world. Ultimately, we have to forgive to let go of situations, relationships etc. in our lives to live happy, free, and thin. Notice I have happy first and last thin. As we go through this BLE journey , those uncomfortable times and feelings that emerge are the wonderful moments of awareness where we can consciously “let go” of those things and thoughts that hurt us hence impede our healing to be happy free and thin.

    Reply ·
    1. Lisa Rowe

      Well said. <3

      Reply ·
    2. Amma

      Beautiful thoughts. Thank you, Thais.

      Reply ·
  34. Susanne Price

    Just because Susan believes in God, it does not mean that she doesn’t allow others to not believe in God. She calls her box the “God box “ because she believes in God and it is perfectly fine for her to share that with us. It would be disingenuous for her to call it something else. When non-believers demand that believers in God don’t talk about God so they won’t offend non- believers they impose their own beliefs in reverse on her. Let’s please be accepting of all people’s rights to belief or non-belief. Susan certainly didn’t impose her belief on anyone. She was very clear on that point. Thank you, Susan, for your thoughtful and helpful vlog.

    Reply ·
    1. Jann

      Thank you!

      Reply ·
    2. Rosie

      Thank you, Susanne Price. Beautifully said on behalf of Susan’s vlog!

      Reply ·
  35. Peg Bondor

    I’ve used a god box for years! Since Covid I started to use mine daily. My god is more spiritual so I used the god from Monty Python on the front. I. Am a kinetic learner and this ritual has become a way to pray daily. I write a note asking to have my character defects removed. Gluttony is mentioned and I ask to have it replaced with BLE. I ask the spirit to look after those I know who are sick or in need and I ask the spirit to watch over those who I have resentments against. Say thanks, date and sign it. Then I put it in my boxhttps://share.icloud.com/photos/0ASZ9TY89iTUP3L3uEHy6bFcQ#Geneva

    Reply ·
    1. Bright Line Eating

      Thank you for sharing how this practice works in your life, Peg! 🧡

      Reply ·
  36. MaryKateMcCauley

    Mary Kate
    I have a god box but have not used it for years. I even made one for my grandchildren. It is time to dig back into them.
    Thanks

    Reply ·
  37. Angela

    Susan, if you call something the God box you cannot claim religious neutrality. ☹️

    Reply ·
    1. Lisa Rowe

      Angela, I heard this vlog differently. I think because I separate what BLE organization says and what Susan as an individual says. My understanding is the BLE is faith neutral and it does not give a name to this. The instruction is to name it as you want. Susan is transparent about her personal belief in God and shares what she calls it.

      I intend to call mine the ancestor or the surrender box.

      Reply ·
    2. Sandra

      Angela, I understood Susan to say she personally ascribes to a particular spiritual path, but those who have a differing path of spirituality are cared for equally in Bright Line Eating …as the BLE plan works the same regardless of where a person seeks their support spiritually.

      Reply ·
  38. Gail Johnson

    I love my God box! Thanks for the inspiration to re-engage with it. Mine is a wood box that I covered with a purple paper and put some stickers on it!

    Reply ·
  39. Emine Weaire

    Letters to the DIVINE box

    Thank you for this great idea

    Reply ·
  40. Susan Raja-Rao

    Thank you so very much for this inspiring Vlog! It was so timely and meaningful for me, I cried throughout, while watching. Thank you and bless you for your wonderful work, helping so many people! You are a very special person.

    Reply ·
  41. Melissa

    Thank you! Very nice vblog.

    Reply ·
  42. Deborah Bussewitz

    Love this,. I have written letters but not kept them in a place. I want to find a box for this. Thanks so much Susan!

    Reply ·
  43. Mary Helen Johnston

    This God Box is a Great idea. Love it❤️

    Reply ·
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