Weight vs. Character???

I had no idea what I was going to write about today, luckily...or maybe sadly, I watched the Today Show this morning like I usually do, now I have my topic!

I could NOT believe my ears. There is a hot topic segment, the hottest issues to debate and the first one was a politician. Now at first this didn't surprise me because of all the preparation for the election. (I want to make it ABUNDANTLY clear, that I DO NOT wish to get into any political debate, or even talk politics!) The debate was, is he a suitable candidate for presidency based on his weight?????? EXCUSE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????????

The conversation that followed was EXTREMELY offensive in so many ways, there was talk that if he doesn't have enough self discipline to keep his weight under control, then he wouldn't have the discipline to run the country. There was the argument that if he doesn't meet the qualifications to enlist in the army then he shouldn't be allowed to be commander in chief. Worst of all it was said that it reflects on his character as a person, and that him being overweight made him to average to hold such a position...(you know how skinny people are all above average superheroes!)

This is the problem with people today...since when should it even be considered a judgement of your character based on how much you weigh? When did that become an acceptable way to decide whether a person is worthy of getting to know, or worthy of getting a certain job? I know a lot of people, people of all shapes and sizes and I have never found that overweight people are any more average than the next person, any less amazing, any less focused on their job, any less determined to reach their goals (whatever they may be), or any less worthy of my time, energy, or friendship! Most of our parents taught us not to judge a book by it's cover, AND even more importantly in situations like this If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all!!!!! Keep your mean, unkind, and unjustified words to yourself!

We live in a society that is way to based off of the way you look, how thin you are, how beautiful, how much money you have, what kind of clothes you wear and what car you drive, where you live...ect. ect. ect. It seems like nobody stops to think anymore that in the meantime, the judging and the cruel words could actually be hurting someone. Unless this guy's job is to be a bikini model...his weight has nothing to do with it! It just amazed me because even though it's something that overweight people deal with regularly, it's a different thing when you actually hear people admitting it, and on national T.V.! Very disappointing.

We wonder why kids are so self conscious, girls as young as 6 and 7 year old kids are dealing with a poor body image...what's worse is we as parents are forgetting to teach our kids the most important thing of all which is compassion for others. And to make a bad brew even worse, we are forgetting to pound into our kids minds starting at a young age how valuable they are, we forget to remind them of their worth, tell them they are smart and beautiful and capable and that they have bright future's. Teach them that no  matter what they look like, whatever shape or size they are just as important and completely equal to everyone around them. Suicide rates in kids are sky high, and you may thing that is just teenagers...sadly it's not. We are learning more and more about kids as young as 7 and 8 committing suicide, and 9 times out of 10 it's because of uncalled for cruelty. And it's no laughing matter. Now you put on the news which should for the most part be completely acceptable for kids to watch, and they have to see grown people saying such hurtful things. We are supposed to be examples to our children...what kind of example does that set? Can everyone please please please remember that we do lead by example, we complain about the cruel society we live in but we are creating it with our own actions and behaviors.

It's not a new development that people put down others to make themselves feel better, bigger, more important. Some people get a high off of hurting other people, but the cost can be high. You never know if one mean statement, one unkind word could be the last straw for someone who is hurting...and at the same token, you never know when one kind word, one kind smile, one friendly gesture could be what saves someone, lifts them up and pushes them to keep going.

If you had a choice, how would you rather affect people? I choose option number 2, when I can be a positive part of someones life, or even a positive part of someones day, I feel better about me, and I hope that's the way all of you look at it too. We all have enough working against us whether we are overweight or not, the last thing we need to do is to turn on each other. There is no pride in hurting others, no pride in being the person who ruins somebody elses day, no pride in bringing other people down, no pride in making someone feel less than what they are, and the world will be a better place when and if we all figure it out. Not that anybody is perfect, not that we all don't do or say things that  might hurt someone we love, the difference is, some people hurt others just to do it, and some do it accidentally. Knowing the difference is the important thing.






Me with my daughters (whom I always tell how amazing and beautiful they are <3)