Christmas Time Is Here....Where Is The Good Cheer?

Last night I had a conversation with a Facebook friend and fellow small business owner about Christmas, the origins of Christmas, Christianity, and why everyone else is going to hell.  (For the record, I disagree with that last statement)

I woke up today and got all heated again about the conversation.  I pondered it for a minute then I realized.... you can't get to everyone.  I mean, shoot, there are people out there who think the Holocaust didn't actually happen despite overwhelming evidence.  Some people are quick to condemn others for their beliefs but then when fact comes to fiction, they are quick to pull the victim card.   I know for a fact that most religions are taught with the goal of bettering the individual as well as the community.  The majority of the teachings are the same only in different gift wrap.  What I can't stand is people who believe that THEIR religion (or God) is the ONLY correct choice.  I disagree.   I also don't like the "you either agree with me or you're going to hell' mentality.   Again, I respectfully disagree.  I know that what I choose to believe is what is common ground in almost EVERY god-fearing religion out there.  Be a good person and help out your fellow man.   I guess there's always bad apples in every religion, from the suicide bombers wishing to get to their virgins in heaven -- to the christian who believes that anyone with a differing view is slated for hell.  

I choose to believe that God will judge the individual on their actions, life choices, and general life choices.  Is that vague?  Yes.  Do I think I need to be dunked in a muddy lake to secure that 'spot'?  Nope... because that's also pagan symbolism brought into Christianity.  I read an article last night about how Christmas itself is celebrating false idols as Jesus is the son of God, not God himself and we should not be celebrating his birth.  (Hello Puritans!)  I find that thought interesting as part of the conversation was also about how presents and Santa were celebrating false gods.   Listen.... I get that Santa isn't in the Bible.  But, he was a man who according to legend helped families in need.  I can (and do!) support that.  THAT is being a good person.  

Furthermore, the Bible wasn't written BY God.  It was written by MEN... with divine intervention. (If that's what you choose to believe)

I know that my comments and this post will not even make a dent in the bad blood between the warring religions of the world.   But I think that if we all just agree to be better people, focus on ourselves as individuals and bettering ourselves, help out within our communities and assist those in need.... the world would be a better place.   We don't need to bash people who have different views.  

The one thing I took away from the conversation last night is that this girl isn't secure in her faith.  There were a lot of contradicting statements thrown out by this one individual last night.  I only pray, for her sake, that she's right.  Because honestly, I wouldn't want to explain to MY God why I was condemning people to hell and telling them they believed in a satanic religion.    I think that people get so caught up in the 'reason for the season' that they forget what their REASON was trying to do with his life and teachings -- promote good cheer, being a good person, helping out those less fortunate, and being happy.  Why can't we all just get along and agree that this time of year is special to many of us for VARIOUS reasons and that it's a warm, fuzzy time to celebrate your beliefs.   Just remember, in your celebrating, that people may have differing views... that doesn't make them WRONG... just different.  Listen, learn, educate yourself, and you too might realize there's more to it than what you originally thought.

Here's a video that explains what I mean in more detail. (Don't worry - It's short)  (And, It's ME!  YAY!)

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, and God Bless.

S&S.
Shannon

Fat Shaming Myself

My sister, god love her.  She's been on a weight loss journey for a few months (maybe years... I lose track of time).  She is doing amazing.  She was my size when she started.  Maybe a little smaller.  She is skinny now.  Like... crazy skinny.  Like single digit skinny.  (pant size... obviously)

My other sister (I have a total of 4 sisters) is now trying to lose weight.  They are taking Adipex. (It's a prescription weight loss pill that's carefully watched because of its addictive nature)  I took it.  Once upon a time.  I didn't like how I felt on it.  I felt like I needed it to survive.  I felt like I needed it to make it through the day.   I didn't eat.   I rarely slept.  And my brain was telling me "you may be getting skinny, but you sure as hell aren't healthy".

I see people applauding my sisters for their weight loss talking about how they're sure they feel better.  Isn't it nice to see your body start to look good.  Isn't it nice to know you're taking care of yourself.  blah blah blah.
I see these posts.  I read them.  I subconsciously have filed them away.  I'm pretty secure with myself and my body.  I'm a big girl.   I always have been -- and probably always will be.  Have I lost weight before?  Yes.  Did I do it in a healthy manner?  Yes.  Did I get the applause?  Nope.  Why?  Because it was slooooow.  It took me almost a year to loose 50 lbs.  Then I got discouraged and threw in the towel.  Now, after reading about how my sisters *have* to feel better and how they look so much better..... I have started to body shame myself.

The epiphany on what I was doing hit last night.  After I got out of the shower and was standing in front of the full length mirror in my bathroom.  My inner dialogue went something like this:::  my thighs.  dear god.  they're ginormo.  and those calves?  yeah... no tall boots for me this year.  Jay-sus.  Look at my flabby upper arms!  I think I could probably fly -- if not glide.  and the stomach!  Dear sweet baby jesus.  I have a spare tire for my car AND a baker's dozen of rolls.  Cripes!

I stopped.  I stared at myself.  I realized what I was doing.  And I mentally slapped myself for being so disrespectful.  Those legs?   Yeah.  They carry me from point a to point b.  They may need a little more of the 'carrying' but they do their job.  Those arms?  they make my living.  They hug my nieces and they lift them and hold them.  my calves?  well... they look fine in jeans... and besides, i don't even LIKE tall boots... so that's a non-issue.   and lastly.  My stomach.  My stomach that my kitten likes to sit on and snuggle and paw at.  My stomach that I treat decently with good for you foods... but I admit I over-do the sugar.  It's a problem.

But you know what else?   The overall picture isn't one of absolute desolation.  I'm not a trainwreck.  I am a human being with flaws.  With parts of my body I'm not super thrilled about but as a whole... I think I look pretty decent.  Sometimes I see pictures of myself and think "who IS that?"  I guess the image I have of myself in my head is marginally different than what I see in pictures.  I know I'm a big girl.  My mental image IS a big girl.  But I think I'm pretty cute.  Like not cat calls as I walk down the street.  But I have my good features.

so.... I am thinking about starting a new journey -- a journey that's been started multiple times.  A journey to a healthier me.  I am going to start eating healthier and 'moving my body' more.  I'm not going to 'exercise'.... i'm going to 'move'.  Walking, dancing, etc.  If I lose weight and tone up, great.  If I dont... ok.  At least I know I'm taking care of myself and that I'm healthy.  To me, that's more important than being skinny and getting compliments on how 'great' I look... while I become addicted to diet pills.  

And quite frankly... I don't want to be skinny.  I like being on the larger side.  I like having a little extra chub to keep me warm in the winter. I'm being totally real right now.

This is not to say that I'm not proud of my sisters.  They are fabulous ladies.... but we each have our own choices to make an our own paths to lead.  I think I was born in the wrong era.  I'm more traditional... but I'm also a lot-bit of a hippie freak.  I don't like taking medication -- even tylenol.  I don't like chemicals and additives.  I want my food to be as pure as possible...'clean' if you will.  So that's my game plan.  To start living my life as I WANT.  Instead of trying to help everyone else and make everyone else comfortable and happy.

This is the Season of ME!   (only...not in an entirely selfish way....)  :)

S&S
Shannon