"When DOVE Cries"

So, this is going to be unpopular. I don't like the Dove Beauty Campaign video going around the internet right now. Where women are asked to describe themselves, and then people are asked to describe them, and we see that other's perceptions are different than our own, and that we fail to see the good things,etc...insert teary response here. It's a beautiful video - I get it and I get the point...to a point.

Now, don't get me wrong - much of what Dove has done, exposing photo shop truths, featuring absolutely stunning woman of all sizes, shapes, colours and ages, flaws and all, and opening many women's eyes (for the first time) to the possibility that fitting into the "norm" set by the tabloids and fashion industry isn't necessarily the most realistic or attractive way to look. But. And it's a big one. I think they have missed the mark on this one.

We must stop fixating on the outer person, and while it is nice to be told we are beautiful, tall, shapely, have nice eyes, etc,etc, etc.... we are STILL MISSING THE POINT!!! We fail to remember that true self esteem is built from what we do, how we do it, and how that is appreciated by our community. Self esteem derived from pretty compliments and physical comparisons fail to make a lasting impression on us in a positive way.

 Think back to the things you have been accomplished over the years - what do you remember? 

The first time you got the job? The goal you scored at the championship game? Your improved mark in Math after struggling, studying, and working your butt off to improve? The time you helped someone in need? I'm betting you have a huge file of "self esteem builders" like this stored away up in that head of yours. Now weigh the times the people recognized these traits/accomplishments against the time someone told you, "your hair looks nice today" or "those jeans make your bum look great!". Now these are nice temporary fixes to boost us up on a crappy day, but apart from Sean reminding me that he said them, I never think to pull them out when I'm feeling low.

On a related note, I can remember almost EVERY negative thing anyone has EVER said about my appearance, and taken each piece of criticism directly to heart. So why do we file all the bad - and tune out the good? I think it's because we would rather dwell on the negative comments about the things we can't really change, than work on the real things we need to address in our lives.

We convince ourselves that what we are isn't really good enough, and file out the things we hear to the contrary. We take on the weight of achieving perfection, to dull the pain of the truth we all know - perfection is impossible. 

So - I would have preferred to have seen the women in the Dove video have their negative body image rebuked by people who saw WHO and WHAT these women are - not comment on what they look like. We have proof above (and in our own heads) that deeds and actions speak louder than words, even well meaning ones.

So next time you are faced with anyone dealing with body image/self esteem issues: give them a hug. Point out the great things that you love about them best. Remind them that they are worthy.

It may or may not surprise you that I suffered from body image and self esteem issues and related, so badly that not that long ago I could barely work up the courage to walk out the front door. This Sunday will be no different. I will stand in front of my front door and the familiar fluttering of anxiety will hit me. Not because I am scheduled to run a half-marathon, but because I fear what people will think of me. Will I fit in? Am I too big/too small/too anything to be a part of something like this? Even worse, am I not enough? 

I am planning on grabbing my protein carby toast, a banana, and the slew of evidence that I am everything I need and more. I will store away each voice that has ever spoken the truth to me, and listen to their words from every step of the 13.1 miles. I will step out the door and run, even if my spandex run pants DON'T make my bum look good ;)

I will run for all the people who suffer from mental illness, anxiety, depression, panic and eating disorders. I will run for my family and friends, those here and those gone, that they know I will always choose to run towards health - towards them. I will run because I am good enough , and because I am.

Build your house with deeds and words, and leave the physical behind. After all, He who made you is the only one who matters, and He thinks you look perfect - just the way you are.

But They Ain't Got A Thing Of Me. I'm Running Wild I'm Running Free.

This past Sunday morning my alarm went off at 6am. 6 AM! On a Sunday morning that I don't have to work. I dragged my butt out of bed, and threw on some clothes. I think I brushed my teeth and applied deoderant. I know no hair brushing took place.
I was up that early for one reason. To go for a run. For some reason, my intrepid runbuddy and I decided that this was a good idea. A final long slow distance 2 weeks out from our half marathon. But right in the moment, setting out at 7am for a run just didn't seem like the greatest plan.
Actually I am putting a positive light on things. It seemed like an AWFUL idea - like, what were we thinking?  My lack of enthusiasm for the task ahead was compounded when I came downstairs to observe my kids, bundled up in pj's and blankies, curled up on the couch and enjoying ICarly. Surely this was a better use of my time - quality family cuddle time?
I am known for being energetic, but you'll be glad to know that I am human and sometimes lack motivation as much as the next person. It took everything I had to step out that door to meet my runbuddy, plaster a smile on my face and convince my leaden legs that running for several hours was a good plan.
We set out on our run, a crisp, dark, wet morning. It was hard enough to get our legs (and brains) wrapped around the task ahead, but to top it off the route I had chosen was ALL. UPHILL.
We plodded onward, often in silence brought on by the effort of cresting hill after hill.It was hard. And painful. In our chosen state of rungrumps, we didn't notice too much of our surroundings. Then - the icing on the cake. Rain. Cold, dark, pouring rain. About 5 minutes from our turnaround halfway point. Rain.
When we got to the turnaround we stopped for a stretch and strip. Imagine it - two ladies, in the middle of the country, at a crossroads, stretching and stripping off layers of clothing. EPIC (re;crazy!)
So we started back towards home, an unspoken agreement lay between us to make the best of this. I saw that we had two choices: to continue to feel the shackles of a tough run that we had put on ourselves OR to look at the greatness of what we are doing and enjoy it with a heart and mind open to the joy and beauty of being on a quiet country road, first thing in the morning before the human (sane) world wakes up.
We chose wisely.
With rain pouring down on us we lifted up our head and our hearts and plowed on. And we started to notice things:
(a) that the way back - slightly (and sometimes steeply) mostly downhill. Awesome.
(b) the rain stopped, and in it's absence, revealed that its drops were actually cleansing and welcomed
(c) the birds started chirping
(d) as we ran along, we heard a rustle in the bush beside us. Without warning, a huge bird of prey took off about 50ft in front of us. Its huge wings flapped to takeoff, soaring through the sky. We were so close to this magnificence that we could feel the air rustle, and see the beautiful, unique details of the bird's feathers.
Awesome. We were also blessed later in the run, to see another smaller bird of prey, sitting regally in a tree.
(e) foals were frolicking and playing in their field, nipping and rearing and bucking with the joy of life in their steps. Plus the wise old pony that eyed every step of our progress with a look that clearly said , "stupid humans" :)
(f) that we were enjoying ourselves

So there are two great reminders to be found in the tale of two reluctant morning runners:
First: that the hardest steps you take in your fitness journey are ALWAYS the ones you take to get out the door (thanks LH)
Second: that once you make the commitment and go for it - WONDERFUL things do happen.

Find Your CORE!

Don't Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, 

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, 

When the funds are low and the debts are high, 

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, 

When care is pressing you down a bit, 

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns, 

As every one of us sometimes learns, 

And many a failure turns about, 

When he might have won had he stuck it out; 

Don't give up though the pace seems slow-- 

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than, 

It seems to a faint and faltering man, 

Often the struggler has given up, 

When he might have captured the victor's cup, 

And he learned too late when the night slipped down, 

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out-- 

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, 

And you never can tell how close you are, 

It may be near when it seems so far, 

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-- 

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown