This is the fourth post of my Lent Series, here is the first post Lent is the Beginning of Change.
For 18 years of my life, I was overweight; and that is saying it nicely. I always tried to convince myself that once when I lose the weight, I’ll be happier. I will be able to wear clothes that I always wanted to. I will finally be free.
I told myself this during all the times that I tried to lose weight. Happiness was something I couldn’t find within me, I needed to have my weight lowered for me to reach that conclusion.
Every time I tried a new diet, I failed. Every time that I failed I would go into a long rant to myself in front of a mirror, while pointing out the areas on my body I didn’t like.
In 2009 I decided to do something different, instead of looking for a physical marker to show my happiness, I started to rely on my mind. My weight loss journey is still going on, but I’ve lost 70 pounds so far.
In order for me to move forward, I had to change. I praised myself, and I have stopped putting my self down. I had to look in the mirror and confront who I was and improve my relationship with myself. After I did that, then the weight started coming off.
I think we sometimes forget that it is very important to accept ourselves first. Many times we look to worldly things, possessions, or someone else’s approval to make us happy. We try our hardest to live up to someone’s standards and beat ourselves up when we don’t or can’t reach their expectations.
We need to learn how to accept who we are right now, with no excuses. To spend most of your life hating yourself, or putting yourself down is not the way we were intended to live. We have only one body, and one life. We may change our physical appearance but our minds will still be toxic.
During this Lent season, let us truly accept who we are and what we are. Once we can truly come to terms with ourselves, we will be much happier and it will show.
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