CAC, Getting to Know You - Week 9
DebR on Mar 03 2007 at 1:16 am | Filed under: Create a Connection, It's a Meme Thing
I think that’s right anyway - week 9. I’ve done most of these GtKY exercises for Create a Connection, but not quite all of them and I’ve kind of lost track of how many there have been so far. Anyway, this is the one Swamp Grrl posted this past Wednesday, on the 28th of February.
1a. What is one thing about your body that you hate, deny, talk trash about?
I don’t do that. I used to do that - a LOT. I spent so much time hating my body in my teens and twenties, and obsessing about every flaw…desperately trying to change it and make it look like the “perfect” bodies I saw in magazines, or on TV and movie screens, that I did some really damaging things to it. Eventually I stopped. I made peace with it.
Does that mean I now think I have a perfect bod? Of course not, far from it. I could give you a laundry list of my physical imperfections, but I’m not going to. What would be the point? This imperfect body of mine has carried me around faithfully for nearly 45 years now, so I figure it deserves some love in return, even if those twin bitches, Time and Gravity, have put some wear and tear on a body that was already more serviceable than stylish.
Sorry to get wordy and preachy about this, but this is an issue that really bothers me - to hear people “hate, deny, and talk trash” about themselves. If you don’t love yourself, how can you expect anyone else to love you? And if someone else does love you, and you put yourself down - your body, your mind, your talents, whatever - then you’re essentially telling the people who love you that they have the bad taste and poor judgment to love trash. Is that really what you want to do?? I certainly hope not.
So I’m warning any of you who ever meet me in person, don’t ever let me hear you talking trash about yourself, or you’ll get The Lecture in person, right in your face! 
1b. What can you do to make friends with this part and show it a little love?
See above rant. Ahem.
But, I’ll say that while I pretty much picture my body as a vehicle that carries the “real” me (my soul, my spirit, my essence) around, that doesn’t mean it’s irrelevant. Just like cars need maintenance to run properly, so do bodies, and lately I’ve been letting my eating habits get really sloppy again (a continuing struggle in my life!). Bad fuel = bad performance. So I could show my body more love by making an effort to feed it healthier things instead of fast and easy junk.
2a. What is one thing about your home that doesn’t feel good?
It’s a big old MESS right now! It really needs a thorough, deep-down, old-fashioned spring cleaning.
2b. What is one thing you can do to change that?
Clean it. Bleah. (I detest housework!)
3a. Is there a relationship that you have difficulty with?
Yes, more than one, but I’m thinking of a particular one at the moment, of an old friend that I’ve lost touch with and wasn’t on the best of terms with the last time we saw each other.
3b. What is something small you can do to either salvage it or come to terms with the way it is now?
I actually poked around the ‘net a while back to see if I could find her and couldn’t, so there’s nothing immediate I could do to reconnect, but I can be open to the possibilities, and trust that if we’re meant to find each other again, we will. Even if we never got to be close friends again, I’d love the chance to just talk to her a little and see if we could leave things in a better place than we did before.
4a. Is there something you are afraid to do, but would like to try it?
I’m sure there is, but I’m drawing a total blank at the moment. Thinking, thinking… You know what - I’ve got nothing on this one. Sorry. If inspiration strikes later, I’ll tack on an “edited to add” thingy.
4b. What can you do to begin a plan to try it?
Um, think of an answer?
If you like, upload a photo of anything related to these questions.
Instead, I’m going to post a short poem I found just yesterday that relates to my response to the first question.
Body
I have lived with it for years,
this big cat, developed an
affection for it. Though it is
aging now, I cannot abandon it
nor do I want to. I would love
to throw it about in play but
must be careful. It cannot summon
that agile grace of old. Yet
it’s really pleasant to be with,
familiar, faithful, complaining
a little, continually going about
its business, loving to lie down.
~~~Lillian Morrison
Here’s today’s Daily Art Thang, which is another weird plant pic.
“Weird Plant” (clickable)
Today would’ve been my mom’s 68th birthday if she was still alive. She taught elementary school for many years and this photo is one of my favorites of her school pictures. Happy birthday, Mom. I love you and I miss you.
14 Responses to “CAC, Getting to Know You - Week 9”
Oh, your mom looks so NICE! Just like a mom and a school teacher should look, you know? Like love and warmth.
I love your first answer. You rock. I agree.
Lovely photo of your mom.
It’s interesting looking for old school friends on the net. I looked for one of mine, she was English and in NZ for three years. I found her, and found that she is very “upper crust” - which we knew, sort of, but I didn’t know that her grandfather was a Lord and her father later worked for a very highup member of the royal family. So now I am wondering whether I am brave enough to get in touch again, when we visit later this year
I love your first answer aswell you go girl (we all need to address this problem) xxx
thank you for answering #1 that way. i love you for it.
your mom is definitely a picture of warnth abd love, Amber said it perfectly.
What a lovely tribute to your mother.
Also, that’s a nice tribute to the vessel which embodies “you”. Thank you for reminding the rest of us to be kind to our physical selves.
It always takes my breath away when I realize that I am the same age as your Mom would have been. I love that you honor her every year.
And hurrah for your answer to # 1!
Your mom is a beauty and your tribute was touching. Enjoy you meme’s because we get more of you.
I loved this entire post, Deb. I really did. I loved your answer to number one - as that is where I struggle to be, but find myself weebling and wobbling more into place (does that make sense?) Every now and again I find a flaw but I just think - eh. Could be worse, and I watch a show about someone with no head on the Discovery channel.
I loved the poem!
And my heart sends out birthday greetings to your mom. I hope she gets a hug today from my Grandmother.
Deb, loved this post! Your answer to question one was just awesome….
Your mom was beautiful!!! So young too…I know you miss her…(Hugs)
Amen to # 1 girlfriend! I always love your answers to memes and other random sort of posts. Birthday wishes to your mama, she looked like a fun person, and also very pretty. You look a lot like her. xo
This post struck home with me because I do put myself down, all the time. It’s become a bad habit, like biting your nails. I can stop for a time, but the feeling is still inside and I’m not sure how to make it go away.
I love the picture of your Mom, she looks like someone I would’ve liked to have had for a teacher…and a friend!
Hugs
hey deb, brilliant answers, and yes to #1! We live in such a twisted society, it freaks me out how we condition and pressurise kids to have to live up to some unrealistic ideal of perfection, and then as adults spend the rest of our lives trying to overcome the ridiculous conditioning and accept ourselves as we are! And your mom…such obvious inner beauty as well as outer… now I know where your stunning blue eyes come from!
Amber, I know I’m a bit biased, being as she was my mom and all, but she really WAS just like you describe. Lots of her former students showed up at her wake and talked about how she was one of their favorite teachers they ever had and when I was a kid/teenager, ours was one of those houses that other kids liked to hang out at. I know just how lucky I was. Glad you liked the meme answer too!
Catherine, I hope you contact her! I bet she’d be glad to hear from you.
Thanks, Shaz. I hope you’re feeling better. Thinking of you~~~
Thanks, Angela!!
Thanks, Nellie, glad you liked the post.
The age thing is weird to think about isn’t it, Gerrie! Glad you liked the meme answer.
Thanks, Tammy!!
Holli, your Discovery channel comment cracked me up. And I hope my mom and your grandma are having a grand old time together.
Thanks, Sara! Hugs right back…
Aw, thanks, Kristen! Y’know, growing up I didn’t think I looked like my mom at all, but the older I get the more of her I see in me, physically speaking. (I’ve always acted a lot like her! :-))
I’m glad you’re committing to trying to break that habit, Janet. Yay! I bet my mom would’ve liked you too. We almost always liked the same people and I like you very much.
Your description of society’s role in our self-image, Sue - exactly right, IMO!! And thank you for that lovely compliment.
Hey! My dad’s birthday is March 5, so close to your moms! She does look like such a nice and caring kind of person! I wish she could have been my teacher! I’ve had some mean ones, especially in the 3rd grade and 6th! Phew! God Bless YOU and your mother Deb! xo,Cinda