Love and Laughter!

When I decided to resolve my weight issue and the love - hate relationship I had with my body more than ten years ago, the essence of my struggle and what I went through - I felt at the time was pretty inconsequential to anyone else, except of course myself!

The only person I shared my deepest, darkest emotions and negative thoughts and feelings with - was my best friend!

My best friend who encouraged me when I wanted to give up, or comforted me when I cried tears of frustration. Who listened long into the night, even though my gabble made no sense at all. Who was nurturing and gentle when I needed comfort and who was also firm and supportive when I was being apathetic. The same person who has been a support through all my struggles, my husband, my lover, the father of my children and the best friend I have ever had. Yet despite the tears I have shed, it’s the love and the laughter we have shared that I remember and treasure the most!

It’s the sharing of everything within us and our lives together that deepens the friendship and love we have.

Had my weight struggle and story ended there, then I probably would have been quiet happy to continue with other things in my life, except my friends wanted to know what I was doing? How had I lost my weight, why I looked so radiant and happy, what was I doing to achieve such a remarkable change in my looks and appearance? What diet was I on, what exercise program was I following, what pills was I taking, what shakes was I drinking?

When I shared some of what I was doing, explaining that there was no special diet or exercise program, no pills, patches, shakes or injections.... as you can imagine, some of them were disbelieving, even sceptical *Grin*.... and so I challenged them to try the same things.... (really as a joke of course ;o)

Despite their doubts and disbelief, some of my friends actually tried my ideas.... much to my surprise, and were enjoying similar benefits and results..... much to their surprise! We began to share our frustrations and doubts and celebrate and share our success and achievements. My weight issues and struggle that I thought was only important to myself, became a sharing that included all our struggles and achievements.

The word ‘friend’ is derived from the Old English word for ‘love’ - and what brings more love and laughter to our lives than our friendships?

It’s your friends who inspire you to try, who motivate you to actually do, and who comfort you when you fail! The same friends who will encourage you to keep trying and keep doing, until you achieve your desires and fulfil your aspirations.

Any person who greets you enthusiastically, who sends you inspiring email, who teaches you something, who helps you see your life in a different perspective, and encourages you to see the awesome, unique, incredible person that you are....
is a friend!

Friends share the same ideals and values and
yet value your unique individualism.
Friends share tears of frustration and laughing out loud.
Friends are loving and affectionate and also forgiving.
Friends inspire, and encourage and believe in you,
Especially when you stop believing in yourself!

Trying to realise your dreams and fulfil your desires is almost impossible to do - on your own! It’s the people you love, family and the closest friends who will support you through the rough times. Those friends who love you are the one’s that will share your tears and your laughter. And even if they think what you are doing is crazy and unnecessary, they will still support you in all your endeavours ‘with love and laughter’!

© 2001 to 2007 Mands WhyWeight - All Rights Reserved

Labels!

‘Wear Labels Lightly!
by Lin Turner
The Rea Centre

According to Dr. Rachel Remen, "A label is a mask that life wears." She discusses labels in her book "Kitchen Table Wisdom" and points out that a label is not the "truth." It is just an attempt to understand something by naming it. A label does not capture the essence of the thing named but only a quality, and sometimes not even that if the label is misapplied. Furthermore, since a label is mask-like, it always hides something from view. Sometimes, it hides the potential for change.

The basic problem of labelling is that once a label is applied, it can become difficult to remove and may set up erroneous expectations for what will be. The danger of a misapplied label is that it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. This is especially true when negative labels given to children. Labels like shy and awkward or rude and rebellious.

Label children as shy and you may start them on a life long journey that hides an adventuresome nature. These children can become overly fearful of risk and begin to always say "No" when asked to do anything daring.

Label children as rebellious and the path toward resisting authority may be set in place while a fundamental inner, co-operative spirit is hidden. Children often grow into their labels, and if they do, their true potential will be concealed.

What happens if the label is "slow" as in slow to learn?
This was said of Albert Einstein when he was a child, but fortunately he rejected his label. Labels do not have to be accepted.

As a child, did you have any labels applied to you? If so, you may have matured into them thinking that they named who you were. As an adult you may still think of yourself as shy and awkward or as always in conflict with authority, and you may still be allowing such views to limit your behaviour.

Remember, however, that a label is only a mask and as such it may hide your potential for change.

Don't uncritically accept labels. Labels need to be worn lightly. They are only attempts to understand something, but always fall short of their goal. Give up any labels that may be holding you back. Do so and see if your life begins to get better.