07-24-2009, 12:16 PM
AlexKawajima Wrote:Maybe its the R-complex bringing forth the preconceived programming of this disgust in obese people.
"R-complex"? What is that? And, as long as we're being candid (and I'm really loving it!!), I'd have to say there's a certain amount of self-disgust going on inside me in relation to my weight. While I don't aspire to physical perfection, these extra pounds have a negative impact on my overall health. Still, self-disgust aside, I'm glad I don't have that response toward other fat folk. I have my own prejudices, though, so I sure understand the struggle.
AlexKawajima Wrote:To rant about some more things in the name of Argh!, I really hate my damn Metabolism. It really sucks!, but there is a solution for that also, its called exercise and eating better. I absolutely loate smokers(about 95% of the time) as it seems that cigarette smoke goes out of its way to find me. How does one evaluate and curb that hatred exacly? Almost seems like a healthy to despise cigarette smoke. It is also true that the drug has corrupted its inhabitor and that smokers are having their lives controlled by a thing that is skinnier and smaller than the index finger.
Yep; that's the simple solution -- 'just exercise more, eat less and better food'. I'll say it again: Simple does not necessarily equal easy. Otherwise, no one would struggle with anything, as most things really can be pared down to such simple statements... not realistically, but they can be. For some, weight is not an issue, it's never a struggle; perhaps they have no issues whatsoever that involve addictive behaviors. Or perhaps they do struggle with such issues but they're not huge struggles. In either case, it can be very difficult for someone who's never had that type or intensity of struggle, to have compassion toward those who do. *pondering* Or, one who does have those struggles may believe that the simple answers (just stop what you're doing) should be easy (or even believe they are easy) and their disgust is based on that belief, the thought that because they (and/or others) are not simply changing those things about themselves, then they must be stupid or lazy or deficient or in some way inferior for not just doing what they need to do.
It's so easy to stand outside a situation and imagine that the solution is a simple matter of going from point A to point B. Step inside the situation, however, and there's a whole lot of stuff obscuring the road between those points, and the one who's actually traveling that road may not have the equipment necessary to move all that stuff out of the way, nor have the wings to rise above it, while someone else might not have so much stuff between their own points A and B but don't have enough gas in their vehicle to traverse the distance. What I'm saying is, whatever the struggle may be, it exists within a larger and more complex set of circumstances than one might perceive when viewing it from the outside. Sort of like looking at a map: Here's point A, here's point B, look it's just a straight shot, not even a long distance... but the map doesn't show that the road has been closed.
Which isn't to say there's no way or reason to get from point A to point B; it's just not always as straightforward an endeavor as some would like to believe.
And no, you haven't offended me, Alex. I hope I didn't give that impression. Part of my point is that while I don't share your specific prejudices, I understand the struggle. I have struggles of my own. As for how your prejudices are hurting your spiritual advancement, I'd posit that the experience of this struggle is in fact part of your process . Spiritual advancement, after all, is another one of those things involving moving from point A to point B (and beyond). The maps all indicate a clear route, but once you're actually on the road you see the trip is not always quite so straightforward.
plur