Greetings, friends. Tonight was a good night. It was “Let’s share our stories” night at the Franklin Library (my gastric bypass support group meeting.) I’m always surprised by how different our journeys are. We all had the same procedure (every once in a while, we get a lap band patient in there.), but we eat different things, some lose quickly, some at a snail’s pace, some with joy and enthusiasm, while others seem to struggle each day. What is for me a mountain range of issues is for some folks a tiny molehill. The point is this: we all struggle, and although some battles are physical, they are mostly fought in the mind. And yes, every day is tough. I have lost numerous battles the last few days. While muddling through in my lovely PMS state, I have eaten constantly and with great enthusiasm and am now feeling rather blob-like. Tonight it was gratifying to sit in room full of people who know and sympathize with my struggles. I imagine AA and all manner of addiction programs are the same. You can safely voice your fears and failures and know you are not judged. I realize we are all looking for answers and compassion.
So what if we take this idea and apply it to all aspects of our lives? What if we give ourselves permission to be imperfect around others while supporting them in their battles? Sounds rather pastoral, doesn’t it? Peaceful. Idyllic. The opposite of my mental state the last few bloated, snarly days. But I can dream. Dream of a world full of gentle, compassionate souls…where we listen more than we speak…where all snack foods are low calorie, low fat, and good for you… a world where we are all in therapy.
(POPCORN! I smell popcorn. Gotta get some. I feel like that dog in the commercials sniffing out bacon.)
Sigh. Tomorrow I strap on my armor, friends. Tonight I’m a puddle at the feet of the God of Excess and Pudge. I’m taking my drooping molehills and raiding the fridge. Stay strong friends….and call me if you need an ear.
Mwah.
Julie said,
February 3, 2009 at 3:48 pm
It’s nice to have a safe place to voice your successes and struggles. Giving myself permission to be imperfect around others sounds more daunting and scary than peaceful and idyllic. Perhaps I need to work on that?!
oakabbey said,
February 4, 2009 at 9:26 am
Perfection is highly overrated, not to mention unattainable. Several years ago I took up the hobby of collecting broken things…my favorite item being a little angel statuette with a broken wing. There were “perfect” statuettes sitting beside her, but I purposely bought the broken one…she’s a sweet reminder that we can be less than perfect and still be beautiful and useful; we can still be a blessing. As Leonard Cohen says…there’s a crack in everything…that’s how the light gets in.
I love you quite perfectly Donna Dawn.