Have you seen the YouTube video about Jonathan and Charlotte on Britain's Got
Talent? See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOuJ0WxsopA.
As much as I was moved to tears by their beautiful singing and humility, I was
also intrigued by how Simon, the other judges, and the entire audience laughed
as this boy and his friend first came on stage. Although those laughs quickly
turned to applause and tears when Jonathan and Charlotte started to sing, I
couldn’t help but wonder why they were all laughing in the first place? Is it
because of Jonathan’s size and appearance? Did his size and appearance cause everyone to have such low expectations of what talent this boy could possibly have?
If yes, then why would
they have such low expectations of him? Is it because there’s this notion or
pre-judgment in our society that someone who is oversized and not attractive in
the mainstream way can’t possibly be talented? Is talent only reserved for the
slim and beautiful among us? How many people on the judge’s panel and in the
audience consider themselves religious or spiritual, I wonder? If many of them
are, then as they sat there laughing, does it mean they believe that God only
chooses attractive people to bestow his/her talents and gifts upon? I’m just sharing
my thoughts here and I’d love to hear what yours are. I wonder how many of
those reading this article feel the way I do. Does what happened in this video
imply that we really expect less from people who are overweight or less
attractive than our society’s definition of beauty? If some of those people are
already self-conscious enough as it is in their size and appearance, do our obvious
low expectations of them help or hinder them? What then happens to their
expectations of themselves?
As a personal
coach who helps people lighten up for good through healthy lifestyle, weight
management, stress reduction and emotional resilience, I have come across
clients in my own practice who have told me that although they say they want to lose weight, get in shape and improve
their health, lifestyle and confidence, underneath it all maybe on some level
they don’t really want to. Why do I say this? Because I ask them ‘what
underlying reason might you have to stay exactly the way you are now?’ An
answer I’ve heard more than a few times goes something like this: “Maybe if I
lose the weight and get healthy and confident, I’d have no more excuses to go
after my dreams. Other people’s expectations would be higher of me and I’d be
more than likely to have higher expectations of myself because I’d have no more
excuses. I don’t know if I want that responsibility to live up to and what if I
fail?” I’m not saying this is true for everyone, but the question I have for
you is what are YOUR expectations of YOURSELF? What are YOUR excuses for not
living the healthy, happy life you want? Do you truly want to be healthy and
happy? What is stopping you?
These are the
questions I help people answer in my coaching practice. I have helped many
people set themselves free and move forward in their lives in more positive and
meaningful ways by learning how to LIGHTEN UP FOR GOOD in ways that are way
more meaningful than just a number on the scale. Many of us are overweight in
ways that don’t even show up on a scale as our excess weight is carried in our
hearts and in our minds. That weight can be just as harmful to our health and quality
of life than the physical weight we can see on our bodies. If you want to weigh less, beat stress and
truly lighten up for good, then start today by simply making the decision that
you are worth it and then get started. The decision will lead to commitment and
if you are truly committed, then the right solutions will find you. Make the
decision, make the commitment and never give up.
What are your
thoughts on what I’ve shared in this article? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Please send comments to roslyn@roslynfranken.com.
For more information about Roslyn’s LIGHTEN
UP coaching services, visit http://www.roslynfranken.com/coaching.htm.
Roslyn offers a limited number of complimentary telephone consultations each
month. To take advantage of this opportunity, send email request to roslyn@roslynfranken.com with
subject line: Complimentary Consultation
Request. Or call today at 613-843-0155. Consultations are booked on a first
come first served basis, so don’t wait, email or call today.
YouTube video
