Overcoming Me
Nick Wilford is hosting a blogfest to raise awareness and funds for a good cause...and you don't have to donate anything but a few brain cells. You see...Nick is compiling the entries in an anthology for publication. Nick's stepson, Andrew, has cerebral palsy and all proceeds from the sale of the book will go toward Andrew's educational expenses. |
| Read Andrew's story and entry info here |
My first son was born in April and a spring baby meant a quick turn around until swimsuit season. All through May I cut calories and walked hills until the scale said I was back to pre-baby weight.
Problem was...the scale was back to normal, but my body was forever, um, shifted. I mean I never had a six pack, but I was far better toned than the jelly belly pooch a baby expanded tummy left behind!! It was loose and squishy and jiggled when I laughed like Mrs. Clause after a cookie binge.
It wasn't fair.
I tummy crunched and aerobacized....whined and complained...bitched and moaned.
But even shrunken, the belly was a lovely land of stretch marks and loose skin.
Tragic, huh?
First of June I headed to the mall with my niece, Kari, to bathing suit shop. Brave girl. I dragged her to every shop in the mall. Tortured her with my incessant complaining and whimpering; ignored her assurances that I looked fine. No, I looked like a pig. Florescent lighting and fat mirrors in dressing rooms don't lie.
Finally, I said screw it. Let's go for chocolate. I planned to hit the beach in a shorts and a tee-shirt instead.
On our way to the cookie hut, we passed a man with cerebral palsy. He walked on crooked legs, his ungainly stride supported by crutches. He smiled as we passed and offered the most cheerful hello.
Instant face palm, Elizabeth is a dork moment.
I was obsessing about a body that never failed me. Legs. Arms. Fingers, toes, eyes, ear, and nose...all in perfect working quality.
As if reading my mind, my niece said, "Bet he would love to have your legs."
On that day, I learned a very important lesson:
There is a difference between adversity and sniveling.
And accepted that body do-able is far more precious than body beautiful.
We are always so much more blessed than someone else and take for granted those blessings.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteNever take things for granted. Do what you can.
ReplyDeleteHaving my first baby was a shock to me too. But because of him, I joined a gym to regain by body and enjoyed it so much I'm now a gym instructor. If I'd not had a mum tum I probably wouldn't be in a job I love.
ReplyDeleteNow that's turning lemon into lemonade! Way to go girl!
DeleteThis is exactly one of the reasons I love my job, teaches me humility. that was very touching, sparks...hugs? No? Too bad *squuuuueeeze*
ReplyDeleteI never run from hugs! Thanks chick!
DeleteThose last words are GOLD, Elizabeth. They truly are and I'm glad you realized it. Now enjoy it. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a lesson I really needed to learn. When I think of the things I would whine about...what a simpleton!
DeleteYour anecdote made me think of the words: I complained that I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.
ReplyDeleteWe always think our problems are bad... yet there's always somebody in a situation that's one hundred times worse.
Exactly! You're absolutely right.
DeleteNew follower! I love your post, and couldn't agree more! We take the small stuff for granted.
ReplyDeleteMy post: http://morgankatz505.blogspot.com/2013/02/overcoming-adversity-bloghop.html#comment-form
Thanks for the follow Morgan...I'll have to check yours out too. :)
DeleteGreat piece, Elizabeth and a great reminder that we do take things for granted and should be grateful for what we have. Thanks for taking part in the hop!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting and best of luck with the anthology!
DeleteI think I might print this story out and put it on my mirror. This is so, so true. What a great post Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteAhh...thanks. That's the best compliment!
DeleteGreat post, Elizabeth, and so true!
ReplyDeleteI really needed to read this today! What an awesome post!
ReplyDeleteGlad it helped Lisa! We can be so mean to ourselves!
DeleteAwesome post, Elizabeth! I'm guilty of the same thing, so this didn't fall on blind eyes. And really, I'm learning I'm percieved mosty the way I percieve myself, so I'm trying to be kinder to me, which is no easy task, but taking a look around seems to help. :)
ReplyDeletePerfectly said...we are most perceived as we perceive ourselves.
DeleteIt's nice to get those reminders every once in a while. It's so easy to take the simple things for granted.
ReplyDeleteDon't we though? It may sound weird, but whenever I feel sorry for myself, I remind myself that somewhere, someone is being diagnosed with cancer...compared to that, my problems are nothing.
DeleteA great lesson, though a hard one to learn. Thanks for the reminder, Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteI slip into self-pity more often than I'd like, but I try to keep this in mind!
DeleteOhhhh... totally, Liz! So spot on. Great message and entertaining. It's a good thing you're a writer. ;D
ReplyDeleteAw thanks Morgan. You're the sweetest red head around!!
DeleteI teared up at the end there. Perfect. Absolutely perfect. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks David. You're a sweet man.
DeleteWonderful reminder, Elizabeth! Thank you for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie!!
DeleteThis is a great post. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Thanks Gina! Glad to hear from you!
DeleteA functioning body is a precious gift indeed. Great story.
ReplyDeleteYes it is Mary. And that's something many of us take for granted.
DeleteI may or may not be a little emotional over this. (that means I am!) GAH!
ReplyDeleteBut this is amazing, and something all of us women need to remember. In fact, it was perfect for me to hear today. Thanks Liz!
Don't you get emotional or I'll get emotional and then our mascara will run!! Love you Leigh. Glad it spoke to you. :)
DeleteThanks for sharing, ELizabeth. 4 months on a wheelchair the last year taught me the same lesson!
ReplyDeleteA very important lesson to learn.... NEVER take your health for granted. I learned that lesson hard when I was crippled with arthritis in my mid thirties and was bed ridden for over a year. I was a LONG road back to recovery for me, but I finally got there a decade later. SO I know....
ReplyDeleteHey,
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm late, but I so agree... but instead of a Mum Tum (loved that by Annalisa :) it was kids in general... for the last five years I've been sleep deprived... but I'd rather be that than be deprived of the love our kids bring in...
I got a bit emotional reading this one, too. When my oldest, Elizabeth, (great name, isn't it?) was born she had an eye condition that they didn't understand. We were worried she may be blind. I was very upset, to say the least. She ended up in the NICU. It was a real eye opener. Other than her eyes she was totally healthy and I was reminded to be thankful for the fact that she was strong and healthy. Some of those babies were clinging to their lives and it broke my heart.
ReplyDelete(In the end, she didn't end up blind, by the way. The doctor was shocked when he saw her following things with her eyes a few months later.) :)
I'm going to remind myself of this in the next few months when swimming season arises. It is oh, so true. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI remind myself of these things too. No matter how bad we think we have it, someone always has it worse. Glad you found the happiness in imperfection. It's a beautiful thing, since perfect is subjective anyways. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a powerful message. I experienced something like this recently and I'm grateful for what I have.
ReplyDeleteWow, Elizabeth, powerful story! Thank you!
ReplyDelete