Happy Independence Day
Sunday morning. Just as our brave forefathers did 228 years ago, I am declaring my intention to seek independence, through whatever means necessary, from a tyrannical ruler that will not allow me to live my life in the manner of my choosing.
With that understanding, I hereby declare these truths to be self-evident:
1. All people are worthy of love and respect, both from others and from themselves, and such love and respect cannot be contingent upon a waist size or the number on a scale. If someone doesn't love and worship you totally and completely for the living, breathing god or goddess that you are, they're not worth your time. If they say that you'd be "so much prettier/more handsome if you lost some weight" or "I'm just not as attracted to you when you're fat", they're not worth your time. No discussion. No "well, but I was thin when they met me". No. Either they love you, which is unconditional, or they don't.
2. If someone decides that they are happy with themselves, at any weight they choose, they should not be shamed or shunned or scolded for that choice. We all have the right to choose what shape or size our bodies should be and no one has the right to make us feel badly about that choice.
3. Every body (and everybody) is different and those differences should be celebrated, not reviled. When did it become so powerfully important that we all look just like the girls in fashion magazines or professional athletes? Gandhi didn't fit in. The Dalai Lama doesn't fit in. Conventional people rarely achieve greatness. Embrace your differences, share them with the world.
Happy Independence Day, America - let freedom ring.
With that understanding, I hereby declare these truths to be self-evident:
1. All people are worthy of love and respect, both from others and from themselves, and such love and respect cannot be contingent upon a waist size or the number on a scale. If someone doesn't love and worship you totally and completely for the living, breathing god or goddess that you are, they're not worth your time. If they say that you'd be "so much prettier/more handsome if you lost some weight" or "I'm just not as attracted to you when you're fat", they're not worth your time. No discussion. No "well, but I was thin when they met me". No. Either they love you, which is unconditional, or they don't.
2. If someone decides that they are happy with themselves, at any weight they choose, they should not be shamed or shunned or scolded for that choice. We all have the right to choose what shape or size our bodies should be and no one has the right to make us feel badly about that choice.
3. Every body (and everybody) is different and those differences should be celebrated, not reviled. When did it become so powerfully important that we all look just like the girls in fashion magazines or professional athletes? Gandhi didn't fit in. The Dalai Lama doesn't fit in. Conventional people rarely achieve greatness. Embrace your differences, share them with the world.
Happy Independence Day, America - let freedom ring.
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