I’ve been mulling this post over in my head for awhile. Do you ever get those ideas where you can’t stop thinking about them but you know that they’re going to require more brain capacity than you have at the moment? Still, I couldn’t let this go and it’s something I’ve been using to get me through some tough moments.
Things that matter and things that don’t:
Body weight does NOT matter (yes, yes, I know that it does matter to some point and I’m not advocating everyone become obese). I shared this story with Juliet a few weeks ago – I woke up feeling pretty good and decided I’d jump on the scale (I never learn).
I think you all know where this is going; the number was a few lbs. higher than I expected. Then a light bulb went off. Nothing changed in between the good vibes I had before stepping on the scale and the moment those numbers flashed on that evil screen. I was the same person in the same body and I realized that I still felt good! I turned around and had an awesome morning! As Robb Wolf said in a podcast, I should tie a big red bow on that scale and give it to someone else to let it mess with their head!
What I see in the mirror does NOT matter! I have a horrible relationship with my body. I have an awful response to pictures of myself. But that is something that I’m fighting against each and every day. I saw a picture of J & I toasting our engagement and was horrified at my “double chin.”
I mentally slapped myself, realized I do NOT have a double chin and forced my eyes to recognize the joy in the two people at that moment. Stacy wrote an extremely powerful post about accepting your body as the vessel of your journey – “you do not have to be ideal to be beautiful.” I will keep repeating that in my head and it will keep healing my bond with my physical self.
Perfection does NOT matter! J’s mom (my future Mother-in-Law!!!) made us a card
I think it sums us up a life-well-lived perfectly – with laughter, a sense of whimsy, & the ability to accept life for all it’s foibles because those are the things that make it beautiful.
Because after all, love is one of those things that does matter.
teabagginit 
“Live imperfectly with great delight” – I love it. And I love how happy you look in that picture. You are absolutely GLOWING! Bask in every moment my dear ❤
Thank you! I am actively reminding myself to enjoy this time in my life and not take it for granted!
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Ohhhhh myyyyy godddd! That video was amazing. I teared up so hard when he proposed! What a perfect guy! Congratulations again, and keep going with the positive mindset!!! You two are adorable.
me too! tears of joy!
Okay…I’m reminded of that little baby with the snot bubbles because I think I definitely looked like that after watching the video. I’m so stinkin’ happy for the both of you and so happy that I’m getting another daughter-in-law that is so easy to love. And…I’m so glad that my card was meaningful. I try to live that way too.
thank you for being such a great (future) mother-in-law and for providing an amazing example of a strong, happy woman!
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all i see is beauty and happiness! yes, true happiness!
Yes! I just have to wear the right “glasses” to see the truth in the experience!
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This is my favorite post of yours EVER.
“with laughter, a sense of whimsy, & the ability to accept life for all it’s foibles because those are the things that make it beautiful” AMEN!! Oh Tianna, that video made me cry like a big baby, so beautiful and loving! You guys have a long, wonderful life of adventures and happiness ahead of you 😀
The future is truly bright and I am just enjoying the journey! 🙂 All the ups and downs, those are set forth in a map I cannot see but I do have a compass (my love) and I have a partner (my J) and that’s all that matters!
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
I’m smiling from ear-to-ear, too!
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I think you nailed these, body image is a tough one. i know some trigger points for me aka I don’t own a full length mirror or a scale. I will probably not own these for a while. But for me, I know that these things don’t matter, it is how I feel in my body, the functions of it.
Exactly – it’s about how we feel and not how we feel we look!
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I don’t know what to say about the video. It is too sweet for words!
I know what you mean about the ‘double chin’ photo, I always do that with photos. You two together = beautiful couple 🙂
thank you! and you’re right – sometimes there are no words! and I’m so glad to know that i’m not the only one who gets caught up in our own negative views when looking at pictures.
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Let me tell you, you have it completely right. What matters is love, not weight and our perception of reflection. I love this post! By the way, when I first glanced at the picture of you guys toasting your engagement I thought to myself “They look so happy together”, even before I read the text above it. I am so glad you were able to see the joy in it 🙂
Thank you for proving to me that it is the spirit within that we first see and not the physical body!
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When you think of all the time wasted on feeling crap due to numbers on the scale or how you “see” your body…. it’s kinda sad, huh? ENJOY living, loving and learning…. and not waste time on stuff that DOESN’T matter! You and J are just gorgeous…. I am so so happy for you both!
Honestly, I can relate to this post SO much. I have some of the worst body image and always seem to find flaws in pictures but I’ve come to find that I don’t see my body the way it is so instead I now just ignore the negative thoughts and realize I am okay just the way I am.
Thank you so much for sharing this with me – it makes me feel better knowing that I’m not alone in this. I’ve been really trying to focus on the positives I do feel and to recognize that my perception of the negatives isn’t correct.
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