Tuesday, April 15, 2014

How do you Define Yourself?

This is one of those videos that I think everyone should watch. Just take 15 minutes out of your life and REALLY listen to what she has to say. The thumbnail may startle some, as she looks extremely skinny...but anyone who has visited my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/marykillman) will see that I've posted this link before. I think it's time I (and others) actually paid it some attention!

This woman has a rare disease that causes her to not be able to gain weight. She mentions in the video how she's never weighed more than 64 pounds in her lifetime. How crazy is that? While it sounds like every girls dream now-a-days to be able to eat anything and everything and not gain an ounce, it's a very dangerous thing. However, as Lisa speaks about her illness, she also brings other things to mind such as what TRULY defines who you are as a person.

What defines you? Who are you really? Are you grouped together with other people because of the color of your skin?
Your hairstyle?
Your clothing?
Your weight?
Your friends?
What about a disability?
Don't even get me started on religion.

So what has caused me to think about these things? Why has this video had so much of an impact on me?
Because as a synchronized swimmer, an Olympic synchronized swimmer, weight is a big deal. We are, to a point, literally judged on what we look like. It's as if we're super models with judges on either side of the runway...or the pool.

Model World: It doesn't matter how pretty the shoes are if you can't walk in them.
Synchro World: It doesn't matter how hard the routine is if you can't swim it.

Model World: Your fellow model just tripped over you? Keep going and Smile anyways.
Synchro World: Your teammate just kicked your nose clip off? Keep going and Smile anyways.

Model World: The body makes the gown look good.
Synchro World: The body makes the suit look good.

How oddly similar. But is that really what it's all about? Are we really just a bag of skin, muscle and bones that is, hopefully, nice to look at? Who are we really? What are we really? As athletes, we are the prime. We are the prime example of what others wish they could be. Yet, even we are not good enough.

That's where confidence sneaks in. Say it with me: I am confident. I am beautiful. I believe in myself.

Sure, maybe you need to whiten your teeth or loose those last few pounds...but until you believe you are working hard, and doing your best, then forward movement has stopped. Until you realize that you are you are a unique human being and that has been put here to do something extraordinary...you are your worst critic. Once you're happy, an entirely new world will open to you. It's taken me year to figure this out. I found this quote on pinterest recently, and you know those times when you feel like something was MADE for you? Yeah. This is it. Thanks Lindenwood. :)

No truer words than these are needed right now.
Work for a Goal. Be happy. Be true to yourself.

So who are we? Who are you?

--Mary








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