Weighing in on The Weight Issue Is it really the Medias Fault, or Mens Fault? As I was signing onto my old email today- yes still yahoo! I ran across this featured article on Taylor Swift and body shaming. Seeing as I have been traveling the world for the last year and sharing a talk called Flip Your Flaws (which is seeking to redefine flaws, and also inspire people to move from shame and into sharing), I was intrigued to read this article on body shaming. I was also drawn to the words thin shaming and fat shaming. Body shame has been a big topic amongst myself and a small group of female visionary leader friends who are coaches and experts in the fields of eating, psychology, empowerment and expression. We are always seeking to find solutions to bullying, shame and incessant negative self talk. As I was reading this article, I felt turned off. I dont feel there was anything constructive communicated and the article was evidently proposing to unify versus separate, but ended with a trying to be funny jabbing statement at men. People, this is a UNIVERSAL issue. Body issues are not just one gender, or one size. It is unfortunatley ALL of us. And the more that women think it is just them singled out, the more of an issue there will be. The truth is that both men and women are constantly judged, and the truth is that we are constantly judging ourselves. I believe the answer lies INSIDE and not in the blame of the media, or of the masculine trying to hold women down and make them hungry or shamed- because women do that on their own as well. Practices like learning to make friends with our perceived flaws and I would bold PERCEIVED if I was able is key to inner empowerment. Flaws, if looked through the lens of perception of positivity- can actually be gateways to our sincerity and even our unique expression in the world. And once we stop shaming ourselves, we Do see an external world that aligns with our internal shifts- or at the very least we are able to not take the shaming personally, but rather have an opportunity to feel compassion for the shamer, because if they are shaming- rest assured they themselves are feeling very flawed. What if just for ONE DAY you can accept yourself as you are. In your current body, with your current looks and your current quirks and flaws. What if for ONE DAY you could not judge others for their flaws? I believe this may have you feel more unified and not separate from others because the acceptance and the concept of not needing to change, in and of itself opens space for the fact of your own human imperfection. It opens space for others to not have to be different than what they are. Now, how to trace back and create a more solid foundation of self esteem from a young age? I truly feel this lies in programs, education and experiences that facilitate healthy self esteem, expression and personal/emotional boundaries from a young age and are required in the school systems. There are many programs and non profits that seek to reverse emotional trauma and dampened self esteem (and we are so blessed to have these recovery programs!) but there seem to be very little wellness/ empowerment programs that address confidence, esteem and leadership before limiting beliefs and significant personal altering has already happened. Please advise me of any programs that I could research that match what I am mentioning above. Childrens programs have not been my expertise so I admittingly know very little...But I guess my point is- Lets try and really focus on a solution around shaming and body image rather than just bring it up and put the fault soley on the media, or men, or other women.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Nov 2014 01:43:26 +0000
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