Scott Schwab:
I love this quote and have personally found so many applications for its use. Courage to one person, is normal everyday behavior for another. Courage can and should be defined by the individual. However, certain acts can and will be classified as courageous based on extrodinary acts that simply put a person in another category all together. Don't just be the courage, create the category for everyday living.
"Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the mastery of fear"!
-Unknown-
We all know that fear is a debilatator that will prevent our growth and mastery. To be courageous we must look fear in the face and make the conscious decision to step forward and expect the best. Now is a perfect time to identify possible fears that may be holding you back and live life to the fullest.
This may sound odd, but one of my biggest fears is the way people will react when I begin to loose weight. I have been up and down since high school and have noticed that when I am thinner, I get a lot of compliments, people telling me how pretty I am and how great I look. In general, people are just nicer. But when I put on the pounds, all those compliments stop. In a way, I fear loosing weight because I associate the results with superficiality and insincerity. Have you ever noticed this? A big difference in how you a treated depending on your weight. Any advise?
ReplyDeleteDear anonymous-
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great question and one that we should all ask ourselves. What is the primary reasons for doing what we do? There are two ways that we can look at this. #1 is it necessarily bad to have other reasons for doing beneficial things? I believe that it is completely normal and better yet a good driving source. The fact that you question your reasoning is good. However, eventually it is key that you do it for yourself and you do what makes you happy.
Image is a great thing and we are all balanced by what we feel is best for us and much of what we think is influenced by expectations. Expectations can be dangerous or highly motivating. #2 are the things we do focused on bringing true happiness? You have noticed attitudes of people and compliments change as you fluctuate in weight. However, I would ask is that fact or perceived? You are the only one that can answer that question. Generally people feel better, more attractive, healthier, and happier when they have lost weight. Although this is not always the case it seems to be very common.
For you and for all of us we need to make the decision of what makes us happy and then make the sacrifice to get there. Don't simply seek for happiness that is short term, but find the happiness that is lasting. Lasting happiness comes from knowing what is right and then working towards that. Subconsciously you may be thinking that the only time people compliment you is when you have lost weight, but look inward and see if you are actually happier and give off a brighter presence. Also realize we live in a society obsessed with weight. There is not a perfect size. Search for the perfect you! Truly you may only recognize the compliments when you are willing to hear and accept them. All of us fluctuate, just find your ideal health and make your goals accordingly.
Let me know if this helps and I would definately welcome other perspectives as well. Thanks for the question.
Scott
You bring up some great points, Scott. And some things I hadn't even considered. I do think people generally treat 'in shape people' better than 'out of shape people', but I think you are spot on with pointing out how I feel about myself plays into that. And, as I was thinking about it yesterday, I agree that ultimately it all needs to be done for myself no matter what the reaction from other people is. :)
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