With Thanksgiving, Christmas and Chanukah approaching, it is reasonable to think that there will be increased angst as thoughts regarding upcoming discussions about “how am I going to get through the day” or “what do I say when someone asks…” or “what do I do about so many ‘good’ things I like being on the table?”  I have a few comments for each of those situations.  These are strategies that I, and others, have found helpful over the last five holiday seasons

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and with it comes the critical, ignorant, judgmental and just plain nosey people who are in our lives because they “have to” be (namely family!)….  If you have kept your surgery on a “N2K” (Need to Know) basis – still keep it that way if you are uncomfortable with others opinions and comments.  If a family member whom you did tell slips up and blurts out “the secret” and interested parties speak up for more info, to criticize or to comment on your decision to improve your health, you have the opportunity to mature just a little bit more and offer a reply such as:

1.  I wish you wouldn’t have said anything about my decision, as my health issues are not for public (or family) discussion.

2.  I kept my decision for surgery private because “my health issues are not for public (or family) discussion.

3.  All decisions about my health were/are carefully considered between my significant other, my doctor and myself.

4.  Based on scientific research and my health situation, my doctor recommended my procedure and I/we carefully considered the doctors orders and followed them to my current success.

5.  I didn’t tell you about my procedure, how did you find out?

6.  What procedure are you talking about, I didn’t tell you that I was undergoing any medical procedure?

7.  While I appreciate your concern for my health, my doctor and I are in agreement that the right path was taken and that’s all that matters.

And then, shut up about it and change the subject.  You can even say “I do not wish to discuss this now” and then change the subject.  If they persist, get up and move to another part of the room and start another discussion.

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Inspiration……… how does one get it?  What does it mean?  Does what inspires one person inspire another?  As we all know from our life experience, the answer to that question is “NO”… we’ve experienced the same encouragements and accomplishments as others, we’ve heard the same words spoken to us as our neighbor sitting in the seat beside us at some rally, conference or religious service and yet we all walk away with a different “take” on the words that were spoken.  Why is that?

Don’t words mean what they mean?  Doesn’t Webster’s definition of “inspiration” mean:

1 a : a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation b : the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions c : the act of influencing or suggesting opinions
2 : the act of drawing in; specifically : the drawing of air into the lungs
3 a : the quality or state of being inspired b : something that is inspired <a scheme that was pure inspiration>
4 : an inspiring agent or influence

And yet, how do we not always experience it this way?  When most people think of “inspiration” these days, they only think about definition #3a: the quality or state of being inspired; which is limiting to such a broad and expansive word that contains so much potential!

What about the divine influence; have you explored your Spiritual side lately?  Or, moving your intellect or emotions; have you seen this journey that you are on with your WLS as an agent of change, not only in your body, but also your mind and emotions (or have you resisted it and fought it and basically made your own existence a painful one)?  How about you influencing or suggesting opinions to others?  You are bright, intelligent individuals who have a positive and powerful influence over others (even if you are simply a janitor, food service worker or street crossing guard).  Have you drawn anyone into your life lately or only pushed them out?

You see “inspiration” is not simply the divine influence upon us; it includes our influence on others!  There are people that you touch every day, how do they see you?  It is a reflection of how you see yourself.  What would influence you?  Taking the hand of someone else starting the adventure of weight loss surgery?   Why not take the hand of someone behind you – then you will be reaching for someone else’s hand while another is reaching for yours.  None of us are in this battle alone – even though it can feel incredibly lonely sometimes.

We can find inspiration in many things, and for each one it is different.  However, they all include others.  Others inspiring us to move forward, make our lives better, make our journey more powerful and us inspiring others to grasp the baton that we pass on to them to make their lives better and their journey’s more powerful still.  When we take our eyes off of “I” and put them on the “we” or the “us” – inspiration comes naturally.  We see others succeed and we want to be like them.  We want to imitate them, we want to learn from their successes and their failures.  No one is perfect, and if they attempt to make you believe they are perfect, that is their first flaw!

Take inspiration from us at Focus28.  We are here to inspire you to go forward, move ahead, be successful, and enjoy this new life!  If you need help doing that, come back and visit us often.  Check out the Focus28 Bootcamp and pay attention to the heartfelt guidance that we give you in the packet.  Following the eating plan makes the mechanics of the day to day easy because it’s all planned out for you but pay attention to the material on “Body Image” and “Self Esteem” – both of which will be changing very soon!

Tell me, what inspires you?  Send me feedback at Living the Dream.  You never know when you will be the inspiration for others!

Tammy