It is Sunday evening and I have just spent a bit of time surfing through all your blogs, and I have picked op on a few ideas that have got me thinking….
1) self-image: how hard it is to truly see ourselves, physically and mentally, as others see us. This weekend, Loverboy looked over at me and for no reason said, “You look adorable.” I was feeling wrinkled, lumpy and hairy. Either he didn’t see it or he was really working hard at being romantic….lol. But I can safely say that never, not once in my life, have I looked in the mirror and thought, “adorable.” Most days I have to talk myself out of a “oh my god I am so fat - old - lumpy - wrinkly - saggy and/or hairy” meltdown before I can get dressed.
2) expectations: somehow, even though we are juggling jobs, finances, school problems, children, parents, partners….we still beat ourselves up so often and so hard for not performing up to snuff. Really, if you are going to live to 75, and most days you get 75% of it right, so what if you have an off day, or week? There are some days I know I should get a star for getting 25% of it right, but I don’t know if I could ever allow myself to feel that way.
Here today I am going to say….I have big green eyes, a wonderful smile, and curvy legs that draw attention. I am smart, and funny, and try to be kind. I contribute a lot at work, more than I have to. If anyone in my family needs anything, I am there no questions asked, 100%. I contribute to my community. I am nice to my pets. I wear sexy shoes. I believe good things will happen, whether I see them coming or not. I expect to have to work for what I want and get it for myself. I have faith in people and the future. I have style. I am stronger than anyone might guess, and I am proud of myself.
So there.
Now I have to go change the sheets on my bed because the cat puked there while I was away….lol….reality, what a concept.
(Also - yay me - 45 minutes snowshoeing today - even ran a bit! Another reason I deserve a star!)
February 24th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
right on TJ - shit.
I might have to use that self description paragraph for my dating profile.
Obviously Loverboy has recognized all of those things and so much more about you!
Right the f%$#@ ON!
I’ll leave the cat puke out though….
February 24th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Yay on the snowshoeing!! I bet you were so tired afterwards! I love this post, and so much of what you said struck a chord with me. I know you are a beautiful person, both inside and outside, and I’m glad your fella realizes that!
February 25th, 2008 at 9:48 am
You certainly do deserve stars!
I like your description of yourself - I appreciate it and I beleive it.
Loverboy knows a good thing….
February 26th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Wow, you really *are* intriguing. I love the conviction in which you point out your best attributes. We need to all do this, daily ! Positive thinking pumps a person up. You get 5 stars!
Cat’s puking is one thing, but our dog who deliberately nibbles anything green outside when we go for a hike everyday (and when she’s imprisoned on the deck she nibbles the oregano from my herb pots!) and then deliberately pukes up piles of bile green vomit…. as if for fun! Well, that’s a little bit weird in my book, but I’m getting use to it now.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:08 am
I am woman hear me roar!!! You go, girl!
February 29th, 2008 at 10:50 am
In reply to the comment you left on my blog, I really think there is something really big about
this carb & mood relationship. I feel it everyday, first hand. Like an addiction to a drug or alchohol, the “Modern Simple Carb” (very intricately altered, and with taste chemicals, and all kinds of garbage added to boost sales (esp. fast food!!!) >>> carbs beckon us against our better thinking, most times win, and thus the epidemic of obesity!
I think that simple and ’simpler complex’ carbs
alone are most of it, but also the types of protein eaten in the same meal.
The balance of protein and carbs is a real science that each person must
find a balance, and to me I see this balance as critical, especially the
older we get. I’ve never been a ‘gooey’ refined carbs person (sugar to excess, donuts, cookies,
muffins, et) on a regular basis, but the moderate refined (starchy
potatoes, pasta, bread, white rice) is still something I battle with, viciously. Fortunately
I love, love, love hearty whole grains and am about to start experimenting
with different types (quinoa, buckwheat, whole ‘dark’ brown rices, millet,
etc) to replace the regular fare. I eat a little meat, but am also trying
to focus on legumes and beans , but unfortunately DH doesn’t care for much
of that heavy bean & grain diet. I am learning to eat it in the day while having a
lighter dinner with him in the evening. Things we have to do to take care
of ourselves… oy. I’ll look into StJohnsWort. Thanks for the note.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:54 am
ps. I should point out that in no way to I advocate a low carb diet, just one that is full of SmartCarbs. Foods which are classified as “complex carbohydrates” like vegetables, really do have lots of protein, naturally, and full of vitamins and good stuff we pay alot of money to get in our bodies in the form of a vitamin pill. Go figure. I am all for learning to cook and eat plentiful complex carbs.