Thursday, February 23, 2012

The Emperor Illusion


Photo: www.healthwatchcenter.com

Remember the fairytale, The Emperor's New Clothes?  It focuses on the fact that life is about illusions and we are what we choose to be, see, think and perceive.

For a good stretch of years, I've battled a personal health issue that required endless rounds of medications.  Those medications had the unfortunate side effect of weight gain, and the more frustrating part was that when the meds stopped, the weight gain didn't magically poof.  Nope, it stayed and I had to take it off the old fashioned way, with exercise, focus and hard work.  Repeatedly.  At times, it felt like it would never end.

Having been a naturally slender person my whole life up until that point, it was a definite painful experience to gain large amounts of weight in such a short period of time. I experienced some of the ugliest treatment in public, by complete strangers who felt they had the right to judge and treat me in a shockingly negative manner.  I became invisible to a great extent, somewhat due to my own insecurities and also due to that unspoken bias that the general public has towards people with weight issues.  I call it the most cruel, unspoken prejudice that exists.  For some reason, overweight people scare the world.  Seeing someone with weight issues sparks some inner terror in others that it could happen to them, so they react in a very childish and vicious manner, taunting, throwing ugly labels and hurtful names, judgment, laughter and petty actions at those overweight people.  It is one of the most disappointing things that I've witnessed and experienced, multiple times, in my whole life.  I also continue to observe this bias and cruel, thoughtless judgment in others on a regular basis, and the psychology behind the unkind behavior was part of the impetus to write this article.

If any of those people had taken time to talk to me, they would have learned that I'm not a "fat, lazy slob who sits around stuffing my face".  Yes, I've had that comment thrown at me more than once, in various forms. People looked at me, saw a weight issue and automatically decided I was lazy and ate to excess, and being overweight was a conscious choice.  This couldn't be farther from the reality and truth.

During the whole health crisis odyssey that I battled, I exercised regularly (still do, for that matter), I ate a sensible, healthy food plan and I still gained weight due to the medications I was taking.  Let me stress that I am not sharing this story to defend myself. I don't think anyone with weight issues should ever be made to feel they owe anyone explanations, defenses or anything else about themselves.  Gaining weight is not something that I "did" to anyone, or even to myself.  It happened as a result of medications meant to save my life. I didn't "make" it happen by being lazy, nor did I "allow" it to happen. I am at peace with what I went through with this health issue and the ongoing management of it.  The reason I am sharing this story is the same reason I write anything here at Healing Morning....to reach out, to talk about a difficult topic, to expose my thoughts and experiences, and to possibly help others in similar circumstances.

Let me also take a moment to talk about the other side of this coin.  There are many people who battle underweight issues that are just as misunderstood, just as harshly judged and who experience pain, humiliation and insecurities because of the way society views and treats them.  Being underweight for those individuals is just as difficult to experience as obesity is for another individual.  There is an automatic judgement that very thin people are anorexic and/or bulemic.  While this may be the case at times, it is not a blanket truth to apply to every extremely thin person.  My sister battles this underweight issue, as does a very dear friend.  Neither of them are doing anything to cause this underweight issue to occur; it is a medical by product that both are working hard with their respective doctors to figure out.  Yet people who don't know them feel qualified to judge and make unkind comments. Compassion seems to be at a low ebb when extreme weight issues on either side of the coin exist.

So, fast forward to about 2 years ago.  I made a conscious choice to stop the medical approach I had been implementing for over 12 years.  I was warned by my doctor that if I stopped the meds, I would die.  Blunt, plain and simple.  "You'll die, Dawn."  My quality of life was at such a low ebb that I felt a few weeks of not being on those meds and dying as a result just might be worth it.  So, I stopped.  Cold turkey, which probably wasn't all that safe or intelligent on my part, but that's what I did.  One week passed.  I was still alive.  Two weeks.  Then a month, then six months, and now, obviously, a couple years....and I'm still alive.  Let me say that I do not suggest anyone else follow my line of thinking.  I am not sharing specific details of my own health issue, because it's a personal one and I don't want to influence anyone who might have a similar health issue.  My choice was specific to my own life and I am not advocating that others take such a radical step.

These days, I am, for the most part, prescription medication free.  I still have the same health issue, and occasionally it does flare up and require taking those old medications again.  And yes, as a result, I quickly gain weight again that has to be taken off slowly, with hard work.  I'm okay with that, as these episodes are infrequent now.  I manage the symptoms, for the most part, with yoga, exercise, meditation and an eating and supplements plan that I've devised over the years.  When prescription medications become necessary, I bow to the inevitable and deal with it.

Why, then, do I reference "The Emperor Illusion"?  Because I did something the other day that really changed my perceptions.  And it may make some of you uncomfortable to read this.  I took a short video of myself, stark naked, from all angles.  Yep, I really did.  Then I viewed it with as close to objective eyes as I could manage.  Let me also say that I am currently up in weight again, due to two episodes that required prescription meds in November and December 2011.  The resultant weight gain happened and I'm now in the process of losing weight again.  In the past couple of years, my perceptions of myself have shifted, and let me say they've done so for the better.  I no longer espouse the same cruel thoughts of myself as fat and ugly that complete strangers jeeringly threw in my face.  It has taken many years to get to this point of acceptance and self-love, and I have good and bad days with it.  For the most part, though, I'm pretty happy with my body and how I look.

The exercise with the naked video was to see myself, clearly.  And you know what?  I was pleasantly surprised.  My mind's eye perception of myself was much less flattering than the video image showed me to be.  I had, in effect, been giving myself a version of the Emperor's New Clothes with a negative connotation. The reality that I saw on the video was nothing like the mental image of myself that I have been carrying around - in fact, it was much better than that mental image!

Yes, I want to continue to lose weight and get back to a size where I'm comfortable and happier, but I really was surprised and pleased that the image I beheld....myself, naked in this video, was a beautiful woman.  I've had a few experiences over the years where I was given the chance to view myself through the eyes of a stranger (One Wish, Healing Morning, 9/15/2009) and that proved to be a valuable learning experience.  What I learned from this intentional exercise with the naked video is a different lesson, and it was equally valuable.  I learned that my own perceptions are magnified in a negative manner and not always accurate....an Emperor's Clothes Illusion, per se.

Friends and family have insisted over the years that they saw me as beautiful, despite the weight gain, and I believe them.  Love sees beauty, and I'm fortunate to be blessed with love from family and friends.  I was stumbling for many years with the concept of loving myself, though.  I believed the "fat and ugly and worthless" slurs that strangers, and some people close to me threw at me.  I internalized those ugly words and beat myself down for a long time.

Today, life is different.  I have found ways to manage my health issue that allow me to step away from prescription medications, for the most part.  I no longer walk around in a mental fog from the medications, and the changes I've made with alternative holistic healing methods have made incredible positive changes in my emotional and physical health.  I've always been a happy soul, but that happiness was muffled for many years by the prescription meds.  Years of working on my emotional health has also provided huge strides forward in my ability to accept and love myself.

I was brave enough to do something most would cringe at....to film myself naked, from all angles, and then view that video.  What I saw was a healthy woman with shining eyes, skin and hair, who radiates a happy energy.  Did I see flaws?  Things I want to change and improve?  Of course I did!  We're all our own worst critics in that regard.  There is an actual disorder that exists called Body Dysmorphic Disorder that causes people to see a very skewed version of themselves in the mirror.  I think we all do this to a certain extent, and that is why I chose to make this video.  A video gives a better impression, as close to a three dimensional image as possible of how we look, where a mirror can give that flat, one dimensional image that we might tend to not view as clearly and realistically.

Ultimately, what I saw was not an ugly, obese, slovenly, lazy individual or any other ugly label I've been called.  I saw pretty.  I saw healthy.  I saw confident. I even saw, to my very real surprise, sexy.  I have had male and female friends alike tell me, quite bluntly, that I project a very confident, sexy presence. For the longest time, I just could not wrap my mind around how they could see such a thing, but I did believe them, as they were being sincere. With this video, I admit that I could finally see what they've been remarking on. Very important - I felt an inner sense of acceptance.  I recognized that I do still hold on to some Emperor's Clothing perceptions of my physical body, and it was a nice surprise to see that my perceptions were actually inaccurate.  I'm doing quite well and I am happy with where I am at this moment in my life.  I have intentions to continue to lose weight, but those intentions are driven by my own wishes and goals....not by the negative remarks of others.

I also think it is important to note that when others DO choose to be abusive and judgmental towards someone because of their physical appearance, it is NEVER truly about that person being singled out. The problem resides in the one casting judgment, as they are attacking something about which they carry a deep seated fear.  They are terrified of this same thing - being over or underweight - happening to them, so they lash out, they judge, they make hurtful and condescending remarks, feeling sanctimonious, safe and convicted in their judgments. This is not meant to be a rebound attack on my part towards those types of people. I just felt it merited mentioning the psychology behind this type of mindset.

I did find this a valuable exercise and of such value that I was driven to write the experience here at Healing Morning.  I may do it again, this naked video exercise, if at some point I find myself repeating old and negative mind chatter.  I may never do it again.  Who knows?  For now, it is an experience that taught me something surprisingly powerful and encouraging. And interestingly, as I sat back to ponder the intelligence of posting this article in the last week, I have run across several female friends who have brought up discussions regarding weight issues and how we are perceived and judged by our weight.  I took this as a Divine nod, a nudge of sorts, of the serendipitous kind, and I am now convinced it is the right decision to publish this.

I believe we're given challenges....be they health challenges, financial ones or any myriad of applications....as an opportunity to grow.  To change.  To refine Self.  To release petty beliefs, thoughts and actions.  To embrace compassion and acceptance, not only of Self, but of everyone.  I've always been strong with compassion and acceptance of others.  My weakness for a long stretch of years was compassion and acceptance of ME.  I'm working on it, and as I write this, I'm smiling.  What I hope discussing this topic will do, in the long run, is present a different perception for people....about weight issues in general, about compassion, about thinking before you judge a complete stranger on the street because of the way they look, about acceptance and shifting the way we all view the world and our place in it.

27 comments:

  1. Dawn, we live such a shallow culture that only judges by appearances, be it physical, material, intellectual, educational, or whatever. The world has no depth of consciousness, and little perception of inner beauty (which you have an abundance of, dear friend).
    All one need do to realize this is to look at TV ads for whiter teeth, gray-free roots, wrinkle-free faces, tight abs and bums… look at all the exercise equipment you see on infomercials. What is WRONG with this culture? Shallow! That’s the truth, plain and simple. I’m grateful to have received a revelation that the essence of a person isn’t outward, but inward. This transparent message is such a blessing. Shh… I was in a size 6 a couple of years ago. Not anymore. I’d like to fit into my awesome clothes again, that’s why I still hold onto them. But if I never get back into them, hey, I’m still an amazing person who knows the depths of my own soul. And it looks like we are soul friends forever!

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    1. Debra, thank you for your thoughts. This was one of the most difficult articles for me to click the Publish button. It wasn't difficult to write it - I just had no idea how it would be received. Happily, your response has been positive. Another lady on FB posted that she's going through a similar medical challenge w/ meds that cause weight gain, and that this article finally helped her feel someone understands her battle. That's why I wrote this one.

      Thank you, as always, my dear one, for visiting, reading and sharing your thoughts. I, too, hope to get back into my smaller, cute clothes, so I understand your mindset there! If, however, that doesn't happen, I am happy that I now feel differently about how I look.

      Much love to you,

      Dawnie

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  2. Yep. I'm there. On enough meds to stock a pharmacy with a terrible domino effect if I don't maintain the right balance. I'm so happy for you. I know how devastating it is when "the others" feel free to point out exactly what's wrong with your life/style/eating habits/etc. Congratulations!

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    1. Anny, I was there not so long ago, and my own list of medications was long. There were enough bottles to cover half of my kitchen counter. I'm sending you love, prayer and healing to address your own medical issues, as well as strength to keep on keeping on. It's a very challenging journey you're on, and you have my respect, my compassion and my hopes for better days.

      Namaste',

      Dawn

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  3. I'm so glad that you've been able to see yourself for the true you. I'm sorry you had to go through a lot of pain to do it. I think some of that comes with experience but also with a strong mind - you are a strong beautiful woman and I have no doubt that you would be able to see what is truly beautiful as opposed to what society feels is beautiful. I look at these magazines where models are stick thin and I don't want to be like that I look at other images considered beautiful and I don't want to be like that either. I just want to be me, I won't go into detail but I'm struggling right now with weight. I've always loved life and now I'm a fraction of the person I was because of my illness and with medication I'm gaining weight because of it. I won't be happy with the way I look but at the moment I cannot do any more about it and it doesn't change me as a person. So to hell with all those people who think they are perfect to judge another, for we all know that ironically perfection usually has the biggest flaws and the most weaknesses.

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    1. SJ, thank you for taking time to visit and leave such a thoughtful comment. I know exactly how you're feeling right now with your health challenges and the subsequent medication weight gain. I support you to find your way back to a comfortable and happy weight when you're able to, because I know how important that is to us as human beings. We need to feel good in our own skin, and be happy with what we see in the mirror, with how our clothes fit, etc.

      You're an equally strong and beautiful woman, and I am glad that you have such a solid sense of self and personal identity. Perhaps because of this, your journey back to good health will be quick and efficient. I will pray and put healing energy into that thought for you. I agree with you, that perfection is brittle and easily fractured. Better to be beautifully flawed and of solid, strong foundation! Be well, beautiful girl. <3

      - Dawn

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  4. As always me lovely Dawnie Bright Star, a brilliantly articulated article that shows true depth of feeling, and wonderful understanding. I for one feel sad that you've had to cope with a medical condition, that’s obviously caused years of anguish.

    I love the theme you used to write your thoughts and findings, to highlight ongoing dilemmas for overweight and underweight individuals, who are continually exposed to interminable bad manners within such an intelligent society.

    People, in response to your article have quite rightly expressed that a lot of this is to do with the media, ad’s etc of how we ‘should be, how we should look’ I like you see a person for who they are. I count it as a blessing that I personally have no preconceived ideas of how a person should look, it’s good enough for me that a person has a good personality, is kind to every living thing and wants to help and support, instead of hinder...

    I guess I have this outlook because I’m older, hopefully wiser and I’ve lived through a time where it was so terribly important to look right, fit in and unfortunately like so many others, I made myself quite sick in attempting to be how others in this world wanted me to be.

    I feel for those of us that have experienced difficulties and challenges in life... once through the hurdles we quite rightly see ‘Life is so perfectly beautiful’ and would be even more so if everyone realised that we’re all BEAUTIFUL, and also to remember the old adage ‘Beauty is what Beauty does’ we all have something to contribute... and as well as this quote being the one and only on my facebook profile, I also continually say it... “It’s not what you say, or even what you do that people will remember, it’s how you make them feel" ~ <3

    Loving you Dawn, keep those wonderful articles coming our way! <3

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    1. Jane, my love, what a beautiful response you shared. I so agree with you about the media being a huge culprit in this whole thing. I recently saw a series of some hugely popular celebrity photo shoots, with the untouched and Photoshopped images side by side. Even knowing that retouching is done, I was stunned and horrified. These people, who are beautiful as they are, were whittled down everywhere. It wasn't just tweaking a blemish or smoothing out wrinkles - it was making them 2-3 sizes smaller, narrowing waists, pumping up chests, etc. Just a complete hall of mirrors presentation. Of course that will influence viewers to see themselves as lacking in comparison, not realizing they're comparing themselves to an image that doesn't truly exist.

      Yes, with age, comes wisdom. This is true for me. I don't know that I would have been as accepting of myself at an earlier age, as I was busy doing that negative comparison thing a great deal of the time. These days, I see beauty in just about everything and everyone. And I realize that every single person walking the planet is fighting some battle. We may not see it, but it's there and ongoing for that individual. And as such, I think it behooves us all to be consciously kind and compassionate.

      Loving you in return, Jane. Thank you for the wonderful comment. My heart is warm and glowing, and I close here with a smile. <3

      - Dawnie

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  5. Congrats on your successes! Good luck on changing perceptions. This old world needs some new views and changes to previous stereotypes and elimination of prejudice.
    Remember that song, "The Greatest Love of All" -- excellent place to start!
    Your friend,
    Chip

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    1. Chip, thank you! It's been a proverbial hard road to travel, but life is bright and good these days. New views and changes indeed, my friend! I would love to see such a movement grow, flourish and replace the old paradigm. The song you mentioned, yes, that's a perfect place to start. "Find your strength in love."

      Thank you so much for dropping by!

      - Dawn

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  6. Dawn, You have tackled a most difficult subject with grace, honesty, and brilliance. I was so saddened reading what you went through due to others unfair and presumptuous attitudes and comments, but so encouraged by your resolve, your efforts to understand where these judgments may be coming from, and for examining the other side of the weight problem - people who are too thin.
    As someone who struggled with anorexia in my early 20s because of a poor self image, i.e. told constantly to "not gain weight" or it would "ruin my looks", I so identified with those learned prejudices people inadvertently develop against those persons who they perceive as overweight. It is out of their own fears they are reacting.
    Blessings to you for continued natural healing and for sharing this heartfelt, personal story. May you inspire many!

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    1. Martha, "tackled" was an apt word to use! I fought with this one, with whether to publish it, for several days. I'm glad now that I did, because it is clearly touching a common chord with so many. Self-esteem is so intrinsically tied into our physical bodies, and with how society receives us. That very thing is a shame, as how society thinks or feels shouldn't matter a whit. It is the world in which we live, though, so we have to find a way to co-exist.

      I hoped that by writing this, it might find its way to people who have had similar struggles and that they might feel not so alone as a result. It appears I'm achieving that goal to a degree.

      Thank you, sweet girl, for your uplifting thoughts shared here. Your good wishes are much appreciated!

      Much love to you,

      - Dawn

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  7. Dawn you have tackled this subject in a beautiful way...I too have struggled with weight issues for all kinds of reasons..I remember thinking how ugly, fat and worthless I was.. I am now at a comfortable weight for me..yet I am constantly checkin to see if I gain.. it's still imbedded in my mind..I might also add that I get those stares from people who find out I have DID..so for me it starts all over again...thank you for sharing this..As always...XOXOXOX

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    1. Bonnie-girl, I am so happy to hear that you're at a comfortable weight and feeling good about that. I think that once weight issues manifest, we then have a lifelong challenge with what you mentioned - that checking in process. I've said it before, every single person walking the planet has some sort of struggle or challenge they're addressing. Compassion should rule the day. It doesn't, always, but I'm happy to say I see it more often these days. Thank you for visiting and sharing your thoughts. <3

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  9. Very moved by your sharing, Dawn. I have and continue to struggle with my weight, but I'm ashamed to say that it's because of poor choices - wrong foods and little or no exercise. However, of late I have taken many positive steps towards this and have been losing weight. You are so right in saying that it is our perceptions of ourselves that need to shift - I'm working on that too. You did a wonderfully brave thing in video recording yourself and sharing it hear. Many more of us should follow your example. If I ever work up the courage to do the same I'll let you know. You are brave and wise and beautiful ♥

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    1. Corinne, I think we all can admit to poor choices in eating at various times in our lives. Regardless of the reasons behind weight gain, it is a difficult thing to deal with. Emotionally and physically. Being kind to yourself is so important, as we all know many in the world will not be kind and accepting. I'm SO happy for you that you're finding your way and that the steps you're taking are producing positive results for losing weight! It's a tough road, but know you're not alone, sweetheart. I'm right there with you, smiling and recognizing your beauty in return. <3

      - Dawn

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  10. *Note: The last two posts I've published have had Comments from friends disappear. I still receive the complete comment via email, so I'm copying and pasting this one from Jan here so that I can reply to her.*

    Jan, of Weathering the Storm blog said:

    This is a very beautiful post, I am so glad you decided to click the publish button. I too, have a weight issue doe to meds., to make it harder when I quit drinking I dropped a bunch of weight. Of course it was regained as soon as I started taking the meds that keep me sane. I tried to quit taking them as you did, yeah, not a good idea for me. Ended up with a crisis, now I just do the best I can. What changed for me was when Randy and I got married. He is so comfortable in himself and is so proud to be with me that it has built my confidence as well. I have seen and heard everything you mention time and time again, because of the lessons I had learned I for the most part realized it was their problem not mine. I have always been a non trendy dress how I please girl, blue jeans and t shirts, so I get crap for that too. The shallowness of this culture is pathetic, how does being,"beautiful" on the outside make you anything other than a fallible human.
    I am truly appreciative to you for braving the world and posting this. you are a courageous woman in life and heart.

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    1. Jan, what a beautiful blessing you have in your husband! I hear similar stories from other married girlfriends and it always makes me smile. When we are loved, accepted and appreciated in that way - unconditionally - I'm sure it makes everything shift for the better. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, my friend. You are equally strong, courageous and lovely. <3

      - Dawn

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  11. Dawn, this post is so important. I'm proud of you for hitting the post button.

    I love that you were brave enough to video yourself nude and then watch it. What ever prompted you to do this? Was it something somebody suggested?

    I've battled body image issues with weight gain due to unhealthy living and I'm also battling aging. Let's face it, no matter how much weight I lose I'm still going to have wrinkles... probably more because of the weight loss. When you spoke about being invisible and ignored I totally related to it. That is the same thing that happens to older people.

    It amazes me how people can be rude to overweight or older people, because some day, their turn will come, at least with aging. You explained the ignorance of prejudice in a graceful manner. I understand how fear causes people to lash out.

    Dawn, you are beautiful. Your essence is loving and life giving. Your weight may fluctuate but your loving nature is quite consistent. Never change.

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    1. Leah, I honestly don't know what prompted the thought to do the video. It just popped into my mind and I acted on the thought. Most likely, it was a Divine nudge, and I say that because of the positive result that occurred. "..the ignorance of prejudice..." What an accurate statement! I call it willful ignorance as well.

      With age comes wisdom...and wrinkles! Not to make light of your comments, but to share that I feel those feelings as well. I see some of the most beautiful older people around me, and they're beautiful because of what comes from within. That essence that you spoke of shines through in many of us.

      Thank you, darling girl, for visiting and taking time to read and comment when you're going through such a rough personal moment. I love you dearly. <3

      - Dawnie

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  12. Hi, Dawn! ~

    It's difficult for me to imagine complete strangers approaching you, out of the blue, just to insult you about your weight. That blows my mind!

    Now, self-perception is another thing -- haha! Recently, I walked into my boyfriend's study to find his computer screen filled with the image of a beautiful woman, from behind! My feelings were hurt, and I was filled with jealousy as I admired her gorgeous figure!

    "Who's that?" I asked dejectedly.

    He laughed. "Are you kidding? It's you! I took this photo at the mall the other day when you were trying on clothes so we could remember that outfit!"

    Pretty hilarious realizing I was in a jealous fit against myself ;-)

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    1. Linda, it's difficult to understand and imagine, but yes, it has happened to me, many times. Very recently, as well. The good news is that I no longer internalize that type of ignorance and abuse, as I related in this article.

      I love your story of the photo on your boyfriend's computer! I've had a few epiphany moments like that in my life as well and it's a very good "a-ha" experience. We are so much more than we allow ourselves to believe and embrace, at least consciously. Those "accidental" moments are wonderful! I wrote about one such moment in "One Wish", which I linked to in this post.

      I bet you felt really good once you realized you were admiring yourself! ;-) Go on with your hot self, chickadee! :)

      - Dawn

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  13. Though I know they are useful, and sometimes vital, sometimes I think the medicines they give us are strictly to make more money. If you put all the commercials about the assorted medicines together, it's really quite frightening. On the one hand there's all sorts of medicines to make you feel good in one way or another, either emotionally or physically. On the other hand there are all the lawyers out there saying if you took some drug or other you could be eligible for some lawsuit against some company due to side affects. Sometimes it seems like doctors and pharmaceutical companies are more interested in treating the symptoms from various illnesses or other drugs than they are actually curing the illness itself. I had a thought not too long ago - something I posted on another lady's blog, as she was having doctor issues too - What with the cost of medical treatment these days, if we only had to pay for successful treatment, I'm thinking a whole flood of cures would suddenly show up.

    I'm so glad you've managed to wean yourself off many of your meds at least most of the time. I'm sure, all in all, you are healthier for it. You certainly sound happier.

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    1. Anna, I couldn't agree with you more about prescription meds and Big Pharma being one of the biggest rackets in existence these days.

      An interesting side note: I have historically had low blood pressure, to the point that I sometimes had to do some exercise prior to having my blood pressure taken at the doctor's office. In the midst of this whole decision making process several years ago, my blood pressure was starting to get out of control. My doctor was gently beginning to suggest putting me on low dosage blood pressure meds. That was a large part of my decision making. And guess what? The week after I stopped all meds, my blood pressure was back to normal and has been since then.

      Again, I do not advocate anyone else taking such a radical approach to their health. This was unique to me, but the blood pressure issue alone points out how many prescription medications can do more harm than good.

      Yes, I'm healthier and happier, and I made the best decision possible for myself. Thank you for visiting and leaving such a great comment! <3

      - Dawn

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  14. When we look at ourself ... most of the time we see something that is not there or we add something that does not need to be added.
    The day we can see our self with honesty and dignity the physical aspects will not be so harsh...It would be with a better understanding of one's health

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    1. Savira, I agree with you. I don't know if such a state is possible to achieve, as we always have Ego present. My goal is to continue to be in a peaceful and happy state of mind, no matter the circumstances of my physical reality. That's a big ticket item, of course, and some days I do better than others. Thank you for visiting!

      - Dawn

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