gratitude

Easy on the heart – Part 2!

March 20, 2017 /

 

3.20.17   Hey gang!

I thought I’d share this one that I wrote back in January again. I actually forgot all about it, but as I was working on the site tonight I came across it and it was so perfect! I made a new graphic for it because I love the quote by Kristin Granger so much and I didn’t feel like the old one did it justice.

But I’ve also added this one by Nayyirah Waheed which just knocks the wind out of me every time I read it.  It’s so powerful!  When you’re chronically ill, it takes a lot to become ‘friends’ with your body.  If you have body image issues, same thing.  I think I have gotten to the place where I love my body, because I don’t pay much

Anyway…this post is about external beauty vs. internal beauty….and this has certainly been topical for me the last few days.

Yesterday, for the first time in my entire life, I was actually ‘fat-shamed.’

Truth!

And it was right here on Facebook too. I never thought I would encounter such a thing, but I have certainly put some weight on since starting Gratitude Addict as it has taken a lot of couch/laptop time (& Reese’s…see the blog for more dets on my ‘blog bod.’lol) I have been on the thinner side my whole life, so I’ve never had anything like that happen before so it was a bit shocking at first. But here’s a few thoughts:

1. I think I’m beautiful
2. See #1

I also know that for this person to feel like they need to do that, it’s THEIR issue…not mine.

Most importantly I know that to do such a thing requires an ugly heart….and to me, an ugly heart means an ugly person. It makes me sad for them.

So take a look at this blog post from back in January. I would love to hear your thoughts on internal vs. external beauty!

**Side note: About 15-20 of my friends reported the ‘fat-shaming’ post to Facebook as offensive. Each one of them received notes back saying that the post, although offensive, did not violate their “community standards.” As I was filling out a report of my own, I noticed in the section for reporting posts that they make such a big deal about not tolerating bullying on Facebook.

I’m very curious as to what constitutes bullying if ‘fat-shaming’ is not one of them. It’s not a wonder the girls today have such crappy body image issues if they are subjected to this.

I’m so sorry girls…I tried. And please know…no matter what ANYONE says…YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

**Original post:  1.16.17  I so love this quote! I couldn’t wait to share it with you all!
 
Isn’t this so true? So much revolves around how we look on the outside, rather than how we look on the inside.
 
We are programmed from such a young age to look a certain way. Hopefully not by our parents, but by the media for sure:
 
“Buy this mascara….you’ll turn the boys’ heads!”
 
“Go on this weight loss regimen….your body isn’t ‘perfect'” (and then they’ll show a ‘before’ picture with the person looking miserable and the ‘after’ as someone looking happy.) So…if you aren’t a stick figure you aren’t happy?
 
Personally, I know a lot of ‘pretty’ people who are a-holes. That’s not ‘pretty’ to me.
 
I like your salt-of-the-earth types that always have a kind word and a smile.
I like the people who will go out of their way to check on me when I’m not feeling so hot, even when their own lives are crazy.
I love those people who do service or volunteer their time without expecting anything in return, or even letting anyone else know they did it.
To me, that’s pretty. More than pretty, actually…it’s downright SEXY.
 
I know our internal beauty doesn’t sell products, but I betcha your internal beauty gives you more friends…am I right?  Of course I am!  It certainly brings more people that want to be around you on a daily basis and for all the right reasons and not just for a hookup (not that I would remember what that is, mind you.)?
But the BEST part of that internal beauty?  YOU like to be around you!  How about that?  Isn’t that the most important thing anyway?  Wherever we go…there we are!  I’m stuck with me rather I want to be or not.  And today…I want to be!  I like me.  I can put my head on my pillow tonight and know that I was a good friend, I helped another person, and I tried to spread some love and happiness.
I bet you did too.  If you’re on a site called Gratitude Addict, you’re probably already internally gorgeous…or at least trying to be.  We are all works in progress, after all.
Give me ‘easy on the heart’ any day.

 

You May Also Like

Setting Intentions & Chronic Pain/Illness
September 15, 2017
Why You Should Set Intentions in 2021 (not resolutions!)
December 31, 2020
3,116 Days and my First Book Release!!!
November 30, 2021