Fat Bottomed Girls

Great song by Queen! But I want to talk about the word "fat". Its just an adjective, much like "blonde" , "green" , "female" . It describes certain attributes. Where in the world did it become synonymous with "loser" , "lame" , "disgusting" , or "hopeless" ??? None of those adjectives apply to me, or any of my friends who might be "fat". Why is it that people assume that skinny is better? smarter? more fun? successful?

And why oh why have we given the word FAT so much power over us? to make us feel lousy about ourselves, the power to hurt us? No matter what the dictionary says, society has made the word FAT mean 'bad". Even though there are other words for it: Curvaceous, overweight, plus size, voluptuous. Society has somehow altered our view of words. Like the word "queer". When I was growing up, it meant odd. Then it became slang, and was perceived as a bad thing. Who would have thought, then, that "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" would be a hit show? hmm ? Maybe its time to "take back" the power of the FAT word!

Every woman thinks she's fat; if not all the time, at some point in her life. Ever call a friend and say "I feel so fat today" ?? Or.. .the classic... "Do I look fat in this?" And who determines what constitutes FAT? Is it the average size of the average woman as a basis? or ~gasp~ is it the average size of the average model?? some doctor? a scale? hip-to-waist ratio? Weight isn't the true measure of FAT. And lately, my ideal is Queen Latifah. I like her thinking: "I'm a size healthy, and you can be too." (yeah, I know, its an advertisement) but it says so much. Like.. its OK that you're not a size zero.

FAT is a state of mind. If you are the kind who gets out there, gets busy, stays active, doing what life allows you to do, then you're not FAT. An author I'm reading shows the difference between "fat girls" and "Fat Girls": fat girls hide their bodies in baggy shapeless clothes. Fat Girls show off their cleavage and draw attention to their curves; Fat Girls fight back!

Don't waste time and thinking on the word FAT.
Don't give it the power to make your life miserable.
Think about the things you CAN do. and DO it!! fight back!!
This Fat Girl does! :)

HUGS to everyone!!

Heroes

When something is brought to our attention, we tend to notice it more often. And this week, for me, it was the word "hero" . It started when the new season of the NBC show "Heroes" came on television. I happened to mention that I'd never watched the show, and a friend said it was a great show, I should watch it. (Thanks Chris!!!) But that season three wouldn't make sense until I watched one and two. So, me being me, I logged in to my local library and reserved it. It was available, so I picked it up and started watching it last weekend. And boy, did I !! -- got sucked in, and sort of addicted; interesting story lines, reality woven with fantasy, making things entirely believable. Ok. Maybe not entirely. But .. the possibilities!!

But... that wasn't the point of this! (boy, am I easily distractable or what!?) The point is that when something is brought to mind, we notice it more. There are many songs about heroes (my current fav is "Here's to the Heroes, by Ten Tenors), persons who do heroic things. Google puts it this way:

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
champion: someone who fights for a cause
a being of great strength and courage celebrated for bold exploits;
often the offspring of a mortal and a god

In truth, not many of us come across these exceptional types on a daily basis. Or do we? There are an amazing number of "unsung heroes" who cross our paths every day:

those who tend to the little things;
those who come to our "rescue" when something goes wrong;
the ones who are there for us when we need a shoulder to cry on,
the ones who are strong when we need someone to lean on';
and the ones who love us just as we are, faults and all.

To all of my heroes: Em, Tammy, Cathy (my "sisters" !!!), Pammie,,, Prof,,, John,,, Chris,,, D. (yeah, You!),,, my online chat buddies,,, and my family .... Thank You! for being a hero to me!! I love you all.

So the next time the word "hero" pops into your reality ... take a moment and think about, and maybe even thank!, each one of your own heroes! I just did. :)

HUGS to everyone!!!

PS: As you know, kids think they know it all and scoff at parents who do silly things like get addicted to a TV Series.... but I'm going on record here: I convinced my son he should watch Heroes as well, so he gave it a try. And became addicted, just as I did. I know this, because as I was leaving for work at 5am the other morning, I could hear him watching it!! (hehehehehhee)