Enjoy an exclusive first listen to Whitney Houston’s newest album, “Whitney Houston – I Wish You Love: More from ‘The Bodyguard” album courtesy of SONY Music on November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for World Diabetes Day on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 6 -7:30 PM.

We’re talking about how to become your own diabetes bodyguard with guests: Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Constance Brown Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Author and T1D, blogger at “There’s More to the Story”, Mindy Bartleson, and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, Kathie Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’. 

Even though Whitney Houston was not living with diabetes, I still feel she can help inspire you to avoid the pitfall of seeking perfection as it relates to diabetes self-care managment.

After watching the recent Whitney Houston documentary, ‘Why Can’t I Be Me?’ it seems clear to me that the pressure to be perfect took a toll on her health and well-being over the years. She certainly had a lot to live up to when it came to hitting high notes especially after she sang the national anthem at the Super Bowl XXV in 1991. Most people agree that no one else will ever be able to top her performance!

“Her voice was perfect. Strong but soothing. Soulful and classic. Her vibrato, her cadence, her control,” said Beyonce.

Could the need to be ‘pitch- perfect’ each time she performed be the underlying cause of her substance abuse issues? It’s been well documented that Whitney Houston wrestled with demons, drugs, and heartbreaking betrayals throughout her life.

It is an unfortunate truth that the music industry is infested with alcohol and drugs. When trying to alleviate pressure or stress, the accessiblility of substances makes for a viable option.

How about you? Are you on a quest to be perfect about your diabetes self-management? Do you feel pressured to live up to others’ expectations about ‘controlling’ your blood sugars 24/7? If so, you’re not alone.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself to always have good blood sugars and avoid lows. Too often my quest for perfection has disabled me from living a full life. I now know that,” wrote Julia Flaherty for Insulin Nation.

‘Perfection’ is a mirage. Be a manager. Be kind to yourself. Be confident. Be brave. Be strong. Ask for help when you need it.

There’s no end to the process of blood sugar management, but there are always new beginnings. Be gentle with yourself.

No one ever did it quite like Whitney and no one ever will, but many more will try. Let her legacy remind you of the cost of seeking ‘perfection’ and be kind to yourself.