Kym, I love your quote. I'm going to reprint it here... hope that's ok
And then, even though it's SUCH an awesome quote, I'm going to expand on it. Your heart is 100% in the right place, and so is your spirit. I just want to challenge you to continue along the path you're on, and to continue to push those boundaries of context.
Your quote is great in that it is accepting of humanness. AND, it sill has an implication in it, one that I don't think we need, want, or is accurate about being human. (and if I'm wrong about how you meant it, Kym, feel free to amend what I'm saying- the way you use the quote may not contain this implicit meaning- I just know that most of the time when people say something like it, it for sure contains the hidden, subtle message :)
The implication is that we should love ourselves despite the fact that we are flawed. You guys are reading this thinking, duh, Johanna, right? Here's the thing, though: when we say things like this we usually are still implicitly holding ourselves to that "perfect" and "not human" standard (the one where, "if we worked hard enough, we'd be able to somehow get everything right"). We are saying that, "ok, even though I failed at being perfect, I'll settle for somehow loving myself anyway"
It's part of this thing we have about "flaws" and how terrible they are. Frankly, some of the things I get the most entertainment from about myself are things that would no doubt be considered "flaws" by most people. And some of the things I really find adorable and endearing about people I love would be considered "flaws" by lots of people.
Here's an example. I know someone who, when she gets super scared and threatened, turns into a bit of a prickly pear. She's calls it her "Jerk" and she's tended to think it's a pretty awful state. Reprehensible is likely what she'd say about it. I've always understood it to be an expression of fear, and instead of being repelled by it, I've always felt that, while it's hard for her to feel scared and threatened (and I feel badly she has to endure that state), her "Jerk" is actually pretty endearing, and it only makes me care about her more. Even though it's prickly, there's a cuddly, baby chick quality to it.
So... maybe a further evolution of Kym's quote would be something along the lines of: We get to love the entirety of our humanness and be entertained and amazed by it all. Or: Being Human: It's all good. Or: Liking Ourselves: There's no DESPITE About It....
Ok, so it's been a long day, and I'm not coming up with fabulous Bumper Stickers here... but hopefully you guys get what I'm trying to say :)
How about this one, since Kym said it best already: "Recovery is about accepting your humanness, and loving it all"
Laura R - been there for sure (with the thoughts about compensating and with the googling!) Good work on pushing yourself and on adding new foods in. I remember doing that and it is hard and you totally feel out of control! Keep on going!
Posted by: Laura | November 13, 2011 at 08:50 AM
PS: don't compensate, okay? okay. good. Glad we got that clear :) haha
Posted by: Laura | November 13, 2011 at 08:52 AM
OK Laura. No compensating. I will hit "reset" and try to be honest w/myself today. Now I'm crying because you understand and you care. It's the good kind of crying.
Posted by: Laura R | November 13, 2011 at 08:59 AM
Aw, Laura... I wish I could be there to give you a hug. I am right there with you not compensating. As part of my plan, I'm adding extra food int his week too. Last night my boyfriend and I went and got haagen daaz milk shakes. So, for sure, I have massive urges to compensate this morning. So, today, you and I, will be here together not compensating. I gotta go now (time for fun coffee drinks with the bf... he is just loving dating a girl recovering from an ED haha he gets to try all kinds of yummy things alongside me!) . But I'll check in with you later :)
You're worth it. don't forget that!
Posted by: Laura | November 13, 2011 at 09:02 AM
Laura and Laura R. I'm not really sure what to say here. I've been told that when I say things they come off with multiple meanings and I don't intend that. Also, I really appreciate short comments (because sometimes I don't have the time to read long ones) so I try to keep my comments short but maybe I should elaborate more (plus, often times I write comments from my phone which is annoying so I keep it short).
Anyway, so I was not triggered by the red alert comment or the bmi/ iwr (I don't even know what iwr stands for... or if I got the acronym right). I agree with Laura that a conversation about bmi could easily become triggering though.
As for the red alert thing, I wasn't triggered or mad or anything. Laura, I don't think you should delete the comment. It's how you felt in the moment and you needed to express it. I just saw something completely different than you in the situation and thought it was important to point out.
Wishing everyone a good day out there!
Posted by: Courtney | November 13, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Okay, one more thing. I know I'm totally lame but every time I read the title of this blog (human bumper sticker) I think of a human hanging off someone's car and it cracks me up. :)
Posted by: Courtney | November 13, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Courtney that is hilarious!
Posted by: Laura R | November 13, 2011 at 10:27 AM
Courtney:
1) Thanks for clarifying, seriously!
2) That is a HILARIOUS HILARIOUS image.
Posted by: Laura | November 13, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Kym-Johanna,
I like the idea of the bumpersticker yet i will find it to be quite challengeing.
humaness/accepting/and loving all create anxiety for me but i will try to modify it so that i can impliment the challenge in less black and white ways. I think its a great idea in therory just a big job.
I love the bumperstickers lets keep them coming:-)
Posted by: leanonme | November 13, 2011 at 11:16 AM