The idea of shared destiny is the hardest thing for me to explain when it comes to weight and size diversity. I want to spread the good news that respect for people regardless of whether their food and activity choices match your own is a way to free ourselves from incessant negative self-talk and feelings of inadequacy.
We might be "normal" weight according to the BMI or some other chart, but when we pinch the fat on our bellies and declare it ugly, we are not free.
When we push ourselves to the point of injury because we had a scoop of ice cream, we are not free.
When we can't take compliments without adding self-depreciating remarks, we are not free.
When we don't wear the outfit because we're afraid of what other people will say, we are not free.
When we don't get in the picture because we think we're not thin enough (no matter our weight), we are not free.
When we allow people to mistreat us because we don't think we're cute enough, we are not free.
When we share videos, memes, and pictures that make fun of fat people, we are not free.
When we feel the need to comment on our friends' meal choices, we are not free.
When we don't experience an activity because we think we're too fat, we are not free.
When we don't interrupt fat shaming talk around us for fear of causing a scene, we are not free.
When we feel jealous of other people's bodies, we are not free.
When we are complicit in discrimination against fat people, we are not free.
When we can't extend grace and patience and understanding to our own wonderful selves for being exactly the way they are meant to be in this moment, we are not free.
We may be thin. We may be beautiful. We may even be sexy. However, we are not free.
Thought For Today: How can I cast my lot with fat people today? Let's get free!
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