Here’s a video I’ve wanted to make for a long time. Please watch it if you’ve ever felt self conscious about your weight or know anyone who has…. This idea has helped me sooo much , and this video is proof with me and all my double chin glory;)
Enjoy;)
Why “being fat”is like a lime green tank top
We always like to think what we believe is true. Of course, that’s why we believe it. None of us would on purpose believe a lie…. because then it wouldn’t really be believing….. my brain hurts. There are a lot of issues in the media that have 2 very opinionated, very sure of their own way sides. And in that there are a lot of people resorting to name calling and belittling because of it. And because we aren’t 5, it needs to end. I’m not suggesting that we need to keep our mouths shut and not stand up for anything, but rather look at it from a whole new perspective.
In a world where media is swayed in any direction the the user sees fit, there is really no way to know who is actually telling the whole truth. In a world where most people are completely self serving and will say things in a certain way to make themselves look better (everyone is guilty), we can’t just go to the side with prettier pictures or the more shocking headlines. We need to think for ourselves.
So what I’m suggesting is that instead of believing what everyone on your wall says, or what your favorite celebrity says. Or oppose an idea just because you don’t like who it’s coming from. Come at it from a side of love. Love is and has always been the greatest thing. It’s definitely not always our first response, but it can be chosen.
So lets look at what love is. Love is patient, kind and gentle. But that doesn’t mean that it is a pushover, a door mat, or weak. It doesn’t cheer injustice, but it rejoices when right and truth come out on top. Its not jealous, but cheers others on. I helps the hurting, the needy and the sick. It doesn’t judge, or condemn, but it encourages, no matter how many times it has before. It believes the best in everyone and everything. (And again, I’m not saying that we need to be push overs or let people take advantage of us. We need to trust our gut feeling.) We need to focus and encourage the good in the world, the love others are showing. We need to spread love and hope, not hate and fear. Love and hope will overcome fear. It is stronger and it always has been. If we are afraid, then bad wins. If we are courageous, then love wins.We also need to teach our children this. And that doesn’t just mean to show them love, but to correct them when they aren’t showing others the respect and love they should, no matter if they agree or even care (and no mater if you agree or even care).
Love isn’t some weak, pathetic thing. It is strong and courageous. It is a great motivator and it can turn the atmosphere of a place completely around. I’m not talking about weak, codependent love either, I’m talking about a confident, secure, unwavering love. It is an amazing thing! We need to love ourselves and love our families. We need to make sure that we not only have love and compassion for people in other parts of the world, but also the people down the street. No matter what your bias opinion says, you don’t know how deserving the person down the street is more then you know about the person across the globe. You don’t know a parents reasons or intentions, more then you know the popular opinion. You don’t know what happens behind closed doors or even in someones head for that matter. And you know what, it’s none of our business to pretend we do. Our job is to be the absolute best we can be, to follow our passions and goals and lift each other up. There will always be evil in the world. But where light is, dark cannot exist. We can drown it out. By standing up for what is right and focusing our attention on the good and not fear.
And that is when real change will happen! When we stop repeating catchy sayings like we understand them. When we actually sit down and think about it from a side of love. A side of, what can I do to better those around me. A side of, this isn’t about me, I don’t need all the things to be happy. Change the atmosphere around you. Don’t side with hate and fear because it’s popular. We can do this! You can do this, don’t be afraid!
Jasmine
Ha, that sounds very cheesy seeing as it almost spring:) Anyway….. I haven’t posted anything in 9 months…..9 months! Wanna know why? ‘Cause I always play out what people are going to say in my head. Play out that they are going to be offended and think I’m being to judgey, or that I’m going to get in an argument with someone about something. And quite frankly I’ve been much to exhausted to fight. But I don’t care anymore, because that’s what happens when you find out more about people, when you get into relationships that are deeper than Facebook and Instagram. You have differing opinions, and that is cool. You either let them divide you or you realize not everyone thinks like you and move on. I really just want write, and be real about how I feel about things. I am sick of ranting in my head and talking to myself like someone is listening (that’s normal right…..?)
So either you’re going to agree, disagree or it’ll make you think about something
If you agree with me, cool:) If you disagree, it will further you conviction of how you feel, cool. If it makes you think, or bring you closer to knowing what you think , cool.
So lets get ranty!
Jasmine
So there’s probably a lot of you thinking Well that’s why she’s fat. So to that I say, in the immortal words of Uncle Sy blow it out your ear!
Am I against healthy living? No, absolutely not. Am I against exercise? Nope. Am I opposed to those who really find it fascinating what your body can do, and how far you can push it? No, I think that’s awesome. Am I trying to make excuses for the way my life has gone? Not even one. Then why would I say such a thing?….. Well because some people need to hear it…..BADLY!
Why do I hate this statement? Because it’s become a fade, it’s said by people who are jumping on this band wagon of obsession (yes I know it’s not everyone). People who think by just saying it they are somehow better people. That when they say it, if they are thin to average in size, that people will be in awe and think Wow, they’re amazing, I wish I could be like them. And if they are heavier, people will think, or say, Good for you! That you can just say it, and treat it like a diet, and you are now with all the other better, healthier people. That the others eating greasy fries and ice cream at lunch are now somehow lesser, or you need to feel sorry for them, And that my friends, is was makes me cringe! Now I understand where they are coming from. I understand that we need to be healthier. I understand that we need to stop turning a blind eye to where our food comes from. I understand that there are amazing benefits to a healthy choices. I understand that it feels good to be a part of something. But by treating it like it somehow makes you’re a better, or cooler person you are missing it! Big time!
You can’t just change you’re lifestyle. Sure you can change some habits and they may stick. But this idea that if you change a your food, that if you obsess over your next meal, that if you make sure everyone knows you’ve made a life style change, and that you went to the gym, 8 times this week, you will somehow be magically better and therefore it will be worth all the obsession, well that is just plain dumb.
There are a lot of people that have made positive changes in their life and are happier and healthier. But what about the rest of us? Why hasn’t it worked for us? Why don’t we have the drive , the motivation, the strength, and all the other things the people online have? Why can’t we have the 6 pack and the confidence that they all have? Why don’t guys/girls look at us and think, Wow! BECAUSE ITS NOT ABOUT REARRANGING ALL THE THINGS ON THE OUTSIDE! let me say that again (or copy and paste) BECAUSE ITS NOT ABOUT REARRANGING ALL THE THINGS ON THE OUTSIDE!
This isn’t one of those beauty is from the inside lectures that our parents give us when we are in our awkward teen years and look like a relative of Gullom, Or when we wanted to wear makeup at age 9, or when we are having a meltdown and they really just didn’t know what else to say. It’s about changing a mindset, about changing how we view ourselves and everyone else. How we view food, and fun, and what is worthy of our admiration and love. This is about the fact that we need to change the way we think. The conversations we have in our head on a daily basis. That we are important, and that it’s not all about us.
If we respect ourselves and value ourselves then we will want to make changes. We will want to treat our bodies better. We won’t self punish and feel like crap. Or self medicate by eating all the Oreos. We will want to be around for our families and friends because we know we have something to give them. Something of importance, because we are important. We will be able to focus on others and and not just be focused on our selves and how gross we think we are and that we have nothing to give.
How do we do this you may ask? Well to be perfectly honest, I’m not quite sure yet. I am just coming to this realization myself. All I know is that it has to do with love, and I knew I had to write it down for 2 reasons; One, so that I wouldn’t forget it 🙂 and two, so that others like me might start to catch on as well. Please know that I am not saying to give up on being healthier till you figure out how to love yourself, (I wrote that because I know that I probably would have done that:)But stop feeling lesser because you don’t match up to what others make you feel is important. I don’t know how to verbalize it yet, but I am determined to understand it better so I can let you know.
I have a lot more to say about it, but then you’ll stop reading, so until next time, remember that you are worthy of love. You are more than enough, and no one will ever be able to take the place of you……… ever!
Jasmine
Well, something happened yesterday that made me think a little deeper than my mud puddle depth I usually revert to. So……I thought, I guess this is as good a place as ever to start my blog. I’ve wanted to start one for a while but I thought, who would want to read the thought storm in my mind? Who would want to read something from someone who has like a grade 8 spelling level and has no training in how to put a thought on paper. I went to English class in high school, but come on, I spent most of it, trying to figure out how to get out of it sorry mom. Why would I want to jump on this trendy bandwagon of a bazillion others…I’ll probably find a way to run myself over……. But then I thought, there are things that I find really important, I wonder if maybe one person will read something I write and it will make their day. Maybe, just maybe people will actually like reading it….. Then that quickly changed to WHO CARES! OK maybe I do a little. I am going to write this whole whirl wind in my brain and if anyone likes it…cool! If no one likes it……I have a cool journal from my late 20’s to laugh at later!
ENGLISH TEACHERS BE WARNED or anyone else that entertains the thought of that being a fun job. As you can probably can tell, this will be a very frustrating thing to read, and I am blissfully unaware as to why…..so there!
What was I going to write about again?………………………………… I don’t know…. So I guess this is my introduction then. My name is Jasmine….hence the Jasmine Kroeker in the name:) I will probably write about being a wife, a mama, my love for God and my church, life in general, the constant struggle between not giving a crap about what others think and trying not to be to offensive, some beauty tips, and probably a few poop jokes:) I have big dreams and no idea of how to make them come true so I’m going to it take one step at a time and and keep on thinking in run on sentences.
Hope you enjoy
I’ll write about that thing from yesterday when I remember 
Jasmine Jean 