For our diet and, indeed, in every aspect of our lives, we must remember to relax from the demands of the unrealistic ideal. For those trying to lose weight, you cannot be the Barbie. For those lifting weights, you cannot be the Governor of California. Accepting this principle first, can give you the peace of mind to love what you do have, lower frustration, and actually make weight loss easier in the long run!
A few years ago while driving to the drugstore I watched a family walk across the street. There was a woman who appeared to be in her 70's with a thick mass of black hair flowing down her back. Next to her was another woman 40ish with a thick mass of black hair flowing down her back. And walking with them, a teen with a thick mass of black hair flowing down her back, and alongside her was a girl about six years old with a thick mass of black hair flowing down her back.
The teen was pushing a pram. I craned my neck and observed a tiny baby tucked inside ? no there was no flowing mass of black hair. But I could see little black tufts starting up and I was willing to bet what that would look like in the future.
I drove on to the drugstore feeling a bit gloomy. When I got to the store, I saw rows of hair beautification products. Products to pump up the volume, smooth, curl, add bounce. I had tried many of them in the past with maybe some improvement but not much. What I really needed was more hair. If any of those ladies walking would give me just a little bit of their hair I would really benefit and I doubt if they would miss it. I have baby fine blond hair. The kind that wilts in the heat, hangs limply in the rain and loses its style quickly.
Later that week, I happened to catch the talk show Maury. Women were on the show complaining about their hair. One young African American lady caught my attention. About 14 years old, she had wiry black hair. It sprouted out from her head and went all over the place. She cried as she told Maury that she had not had a comb in her hair in years because it got all tangled. I was shocked as she told Maury that insects landed in her hair and stayed there. And I thought I had problem hair.
After watching the show, I started thinking about my hair and instead of viewing it as a problem I decided to focus on the assets. Ok my hair was very fine ... but that meant a couple minutes with the blow dryer was all it took to dry it. My hair grew very slowly ... but that meant I saved money when I got highlights because it took them forever to grow out. Also I would never have to pay for an "UPDO" because there was not enough hair to do up!
I thought about my struggle to have long hair. My dream hair was a long, shiny mane. I had given that idea up long ago and decided to settle for a chin length bob. But that wasn't working out either. My hair looked flat and drab.
It was the same with my fingernails. I wanted medium length nails but nail products and calcium weren't producing results. Right then and there I decided to ACCEPT what I had and work with it to make life SIMPLE and ENJOYABLE. Instead of fighting my genetic code I would work with it.
Next stop the hairdresser. I had my hair cut off to a very simple bob that hit just below the ear. On "good hair days" I could wear it over the ear. And on bad ones or when I got caught in the rain, I could slick it back behind the ear. Highlights to give it body and more shine were added and I purchased products that while they don't work miracles they were suitable for my hair.
Next I threw out all my nail hardeners. They might work for other people but they weren't working for me. I filed my nails down to a simple, blunt length. I purchased a very good file and a chamois buffer. If I paint them I will use clear or a pale pink. But usually they are just buffed to a healthy glow. No more struggle with the nails. Wow!
It's amazing how good it feels and how much simpler our lives become when we accept what we have and work it to our advantage. Think about what you have, that you struggle to change. Is it something you can change or is it something that you can't. Life is so much easier when you work with what you have.
Indeed, no one is going to mistake me for the Breck Girl or the lady in the Herbal Essence Shampoo commercial. But that's ok because I enjoy my hair and nails now and that's what matters!
About The Author
Lee Mellott is the webhost for The PATH Weight Loss: www.fatfallacy.com. She holds a Masters degree in Education from Hood College. Born in England, she spent most of her childhood in France and Germany. Lee resides with her husband Rusty and their two daughters Katie and Jessica in Maryland.
My perception is that universe infinitely blesses us every moment.... Read More
Today I just wanted to write you a quick note... Read More
I looked at my father for the last time before... Read More
Have you ever sat down to watch the evening news... Read More
The other day I found myself frustrated with the slow... Read More
When was the last time you felt you were enough... Read More
Treasures of a lifetime...At the end of your life will... Read More
Have you always wanted to do invent something, create something,... Read More
Financial freedom is not about having enough money to spend... Read More
Michael Vick can do wonders on a football field, but... Read More
A man is known by the company he keeps. We... Read More
In today's fast-paced life, the wins usually go to those... Read More
Who dares to teach must never cease to learn. -... Read More
I have a question for you.Who are you?This may be... Read More
I understand that all the self made people of this... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of January 19,... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 26,... Read More
The Internet is sometimes criticized (usually by parents who think... Read More
Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge".Did you know... Read More
Did you ever think that you are not playing the... Read More
Have you ever thought of what it would take to... Read More
I have always rather envied those people who have a... Read More
1. How do I love myself?2. How can I feel... Read More
The rewards of life come to those who do, not... Read More
I recently had to take a trip to Germany. It... Read More
"The power of discovery enables us to achieve excellence without... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 21,... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 2,... Read More
I have counseled individuals, couples, families and business partners for... Read More
Some people live in and talk about the past so... Read More
Back to our youth days, we were taught that by... Read More
I work in a factory, and we have supervisors who... Read More
Even immediately after my car accident, every single person who... Read More
Confident Expectation! The feeling of 'confidence' is the assurance that... Read More
I have always rather envied those people who have a... Read More
My name is Chas Brothers. Many of you know me... Read More
I have always wondered how the Red Sea parted as... Read More
What is social acceptance? Why is it so important? What... Read More
Goal Setting and Relationships?That is not as weird as it... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 8,... Read More
Have you had a challenging day or week? Feel a... Read More
Why am I here?If you haven't already asked this question,... Read More
Being the last of three daughters, I was a suprise... Read More
I had been fighting with the software program that I... Read More
Don't let anyone kid you. The road to self improvement... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 6,... Read More
More things I've noticed along the way:* Our son's birthday... Read More
When it comes to meeting and conquering the negativity in... Read More
Here's something you can do each day that will REALLY... Read More
Fear is deeply rooted in uncertainty. Think about it; the... Read More
Growing up, I remember my Dad had some really good... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Have you ever sat down to watch the evening news... Read More
"We come equipped with everything we need to experience a... Read More
Remember when you were really young? It was an era... Read More
When was the last time you smiled at a stranger?When... Read More
Oh my God, I'm not immortal anymore! What happened? Where's... Read More
One man can make a difference. I've been saying this... Read More
In my years teaching people to be successful, I have... Read More
Practising extreme self-care in our life involves practising good "daily"... Read More
Let us grasp and treasure each precious moment of our... Read More
All the ingredients to make 12 loaves of bread already... Read More
Have you heard a nature hymn? For example, a whir... Read More
I've always loved the awesome majesty of mountains. They are,... Read More
There is nothing more important than feeling good.Come again? Didn't... Read More
BORN OF BODY AND SPIRITWe are born of the body... Read More
Inspirational |