Hands up if you’ve ever seen or heard or maybe read something which resonated with you, stayed with you…I mean really rung the bell deep down inside of you and made you think YEAH!! DAMN STRAIGHT!! I have – this is the thing that I read, 25 years ago at least, and it never left me.
I believe that we are who we choose to be. Nobody is going to come and save you. You’ve got to save yourself. Nobody is going to give you anything. You’ve got to go out and fight for it. Nobody knows what you want except you, and nobody will be as sorry as you if you don’t get it. So don’t give up your dreams.
How awesome is that – by the way you score extra points if you can tell me who said it – and how awesome is it that after 25 years of cherishing those words, I can pretty much remember them word for word. That’s powerful isn’t it, that someone can put something out there and someone else sees it, and it stays with that person for the longest time. I think the reason it fired something up in me is because I believe the sentiment behind those words you know? 100%. I read them at a point in my life where I’d already picked up a couple of bruises and realisation was dawning that the charmed life I’d pictured for myself wasn’t going exactly to plan.
Fast-forward twenty five years – am I the person I choose to be? No.
I mean on some level of course, I’m happy with the person I am on the inside. I love my grown up son and my dog, I spoil my mum and I have lots of friends who mean the world to me, and whom I’d go to the ends of the earth for if they needed me. They would for me too, which tells me I’m getting something right, right? I work hard, pay my taxes (ok through gritted teeth at times but it still counts) and I try to be kind and generous…I’m a good person. But have I chosen to live inside this body? Are you serious? Unless they were accompanied by men in white coats carrying a syringe with bluebirds twittering around their head, nobody would choose to live inside this body. And yet, I haven’t chosen not to…or at least I haven’t chosen not to for ever.
Nobody is going to come and save me from 300lbs of wobble, I’ve got to save myself. I get it, I know that. Nobody is going to give me the answers of how I break this game of yo-yo madness that I’ve played with myself over the years, I have to figure it out in a way that works for me…I get that too, and I’m up for the fight – come on asshole, give it your best shot. And you know what’s really true? Nobody could ever know better than I do how much I want to be free of this fat suit which gets in the way of the person I really choose to be. Would anyone else be sorry if I didn’t? Of course not – again, down to me.
I haven’t given up on my dreams…that’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m on it 🙂
Mary Lou I’m really surprised that such sage words came from Barry Manilow! Not the point, they are very thought provoking and wise so thanks Dee for sharing. I reckon I’ve got enough stomach space to have them tattooed on lol. Which wouldn’t go down well with my husband.
I also totally sync with your sentiments, no, we wouldn’t choose to live with that extra person who shares all we try to do, yet somehow we never quite get rid of them, they’re always there waiting to push for the extra swallow, the other half of the cake and that spare roast potato looking lonely in the dish. I’m almost weary of the fight to be honest except I sooo want to prove to my skinny sister that I can move the mountain. She’s waited 30 years, I suspect she might still be waiting this time next year!
This time next year you might be a skinny string bean and show your sister a thing or two! Keep the faith lovely lady, we’ll all get their in our own way 🙂
Well that’s beautiful – thank you for sharing it!
Isn’t it ever..? For me it never gets old.D x
You are right, where reaching this dream is concerned you have to make it happen. The yoyo treadmill was where i lived for 30 years, so i get how difficult the journey can be. You can do it.
Hello lovely – you know what, I really believe I can! Did you break free of the cycle? I’m in a good place at the moment but any tips welcome! D x
“I believe that we are who we choose to be. Nobody is going to come and save you. You’ve got to save yourself. Nobody is going to give you anything. You’ve got to go out and fight for it. Nobody knows what you want except you, and nobody will be as sorry as you if you don’t get it. So don’t give up your dreams.”
Love this quote!!! So true!!! In order to change, we MUST have a change in our attitude towards food, towards how we think about food and fitness in general. It’s a cognitive shift. Sometimes it takes a big eye-opener to change. Sometimes people just finally get it. I hope you hold onto your dreams and break the yo-yo cycle. 🙂
Hi Tracey…thank you so much, I’ll never let go those dreams, or stop trying! 🙂
Loved your post tonight and Barry Manilow said it. I will be honest and said I had an inkling it was him but had to google it to make sure. 🙂
Hi Mary Lou, you’re right! And they had such an impact on me…mind you, his songs have seen me through some dark times too over the years, love him! x