I was recently inspired to write a piece after a visit to a large funfair.
When I think of greed and gluttony, imagery of circuses, funfairs, arcades and carnivals comes to mind.
I am a very visual person and It’s almost like I get imagery of famous paintings like Dante’s inferno and the garden of earthly delights, but the characters are replaced by gluttonous mad people, and fun fair attractions, fast food stalls which make you think of the smell of oil and burning sugar. Watching every person around me gorge themselves with every treat they find, unable to control themselves. Simply because that’s the environment they are in.
These places are meant to pray on our weaknesses, they mask everything as FUN but all they are doing praying on our greed, our greed for more, to gamble and gorge on addictive foods all so the people that run these business can line their pockets with more money.
Even before I started my healthy diet and fitness journey places like this filled me with dread, I don’t like the smell of oily foods, it makes me feel sick even the thought of it turns my stomach.
With this in mind I like to do my research so I always find places where I can eat Something that suits my WANTS and NEEDS. But this doesn’t always come unchallenged, I find people are constantly commenting on my choice of food regardless of the food choice. Now, what gets me is I get more unwanted comments off people when I chose to eat Something healthy, and when I say healthy I mean salad instead of chips, dressing on the side, low oil, lean meats and no batter/breaded options. Now for me this isn’t necessarily choosing healthy, I am just eating to my preference, I don’t like oily/greasy foods, and too many carbs don’t agree with me. And the reactions I get are…on a diet are we? Why don’t you have a day off! Live a little! Let loose! Don’t be boring!
BORING????
since when did my choice of food become
Someone’s source of entertainment? I’m sorry my food isn’t jumping off the plate and putting a little show on for you!
Sometimes this will go to the extremes, I was recently in a position whereby every meal I ate was under scrutiny for a number of days, I had a takeaways, cakes, biscuits, pastries constantly shoved in my face to try and make me eat the same as everyone else. I was put in positions whereby my only options were deep fried foods or not to eat. Now out of stubbornness I chose not to eat, this may sound extreme but the whole point this person was doing this was because they wanted to see me fail, and at this point failure was not an option. They wanted me to fail as they wanted to make themselves feel better for the choices they were making.
I left that weekend feeling empowered, I hadn’t given in. I had literally listened to my gut and was very lucky to have a supportive husband who stuck by me throughout this whole ordeal. But it did leave me with so many questions why do others want to see you fail?
There are some people who get a kick out of others failing, and these people revel in it when you don’t achieve your goal. There are also the people that will actively go out of there way to sabotage your efforts just for their own personal satisfaction
As children our parents tell us other kids are mean because they are jealous or envious of our gifts. And there is nothing these people love more than to see our gifts fail us.
But in some cases it has more to do with the person themselves, their insecurities and their fear of failure. By me failing it takes the pressure off them and their shortcomings.
I’ve always had a fear of failure which has stopped me from trying things as I don’t want to embarrass myself in others eyes or disappoint others with false promises.
Not any more!
My mindset has changed so much over the last two years, that if I don’t try I will never get anywhere, trying to lose weight and increase my fitness is 100% better than not trying at all, and I don’t always get it right but I always TRY, I try every day to better myself and my body by making what I deem healthy choices. Two years of trying and I am 33kg lighter, mentally happier, physically fitter and have a new found confidence to try anything. I CHOOSE not to indulge in certain foods as they do not support my current goal, I am resisting my never-ending battle to be greedy so I can achieve what I want. So if I do this by making the decision to eat a certain way it is my decision and I shouldn’t be criticised for it. It’s my body and my choice. And I will cheer on any person that wants to do the same, I have the upmost respect for people who are just trying to better themselves. And I will always cheer on my friends who not only succeed but fail trying.
“Even if you fall on your face, your still
moving forward” - Victor Kiam
Comments