For starters; how the heck is it already 2015? 2008 feels like flipping last year. But anyway, as we transition into another year, I've been thinking again about journey vs. destination.
My very wise Aussie mum, Tammy, first introduced me to this idea last year when talking about plane journeys. Of course the 22ish hour plane journey to Australia is what puts some people off visiting - and boy it sounds oh so horrendous. However, I recall Tammy expressing something along the lines of, "yeah but it's hours of being allowed to sit and eat plane food (which I flipping love I'll have you know!) and watch movies, how could that get much better?" In our very busy society, we surely should value the times when we have nothing but movies, food (and potentially friends/family, games, books etc. too!) to accompany us?
And it got me thinking didn't it - and I've been mulling over it ever since (dramatic right!).
What do I mean by "destination"? I mean anything. Whether it is literally that plane journey to another country, or reaching that 16/18/21 etc. age bracket, the achievement of the 3 pound weight loss, the Friday evening no-work-all-weekend feeling, etc. (I could go on and on but I won't bore you).
We live in a microwave (says mum) society - as in, consumeristic society where we want results NOW. And we want results faster. We want our food microwavable in 90 seconds. We want to look noticeably more toned after that one-off session at the gym. We want that gorgeously sun-kissed tan after just an hour of two in the sun.
And believe me, I know this mentality all too well. So many times I've been so focused on that end goal (which is by no means a terrible way of being) - however, I think there's then the danger of by-passing the joy of the present; the joy of the journey.
The 'present'; a gift.
I think the secret, or a potential secret to overcoming this 'issue' is gratitude. There is great power in thankfulness, it helps to create a positive mind-set.
Instead of seeing the crappy stuff of the 'journey', and longing for the destination, we start to appreciate and recognise the gifts of the present.
We start to see with fresh eyes; with a new lens; into a new dimension.
So I've put gratitude on my 2015 to-do list (yes, yes I made a list and I would very much recommend doing so - I like lists) - the aim is to journal 3 things a day that I am thankful for - let's see how that goes shall we!
This is my challenge to you.
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes"
I'll keep you posted.
As some of you may know, I have a heart and a passion for working with girls on self-worth. The pressures placed on girls today seem higher than ever.
People have always said "oh it's the media's fault" and to be honest I brushed them statements under the carpet thinking - pffftt nah.
However, last week when researching, I came upon the TED talk by the model Cameron Russell. And it's been playing on my mind ever since. It completely angered me to be honest, and turned everything that I'd seen in the 'media' upside down. She proceeded to show the professional model shots compared with a photo taken of her the same day or a few days previous. Here's a couple examples;
It shocked me because I knew I looked at these pictures in the magazines thinking "damn I wish I looked like that...IF ONLY..." but, as Cameron puts it "these groups of professionals simply create constructions...that's not me". So - all these pictures that are bombarded at us in magazines, on the TV, in adverts (etc.) aren't necessarily real - they are literally constructions?
It felt like everything I'd seen was a lie?! And maybe I'm being slightly dramatic but do you know what, I don't actually think I am.
What angers me is that companies chuck these images of perfection at us purposely to make us feel insecure so that we buy whatever product they're selling because that just might make us feel a bit better about ourselves.
I proceeded to look into all this photoshopping stuff only to find heaps of videos of women completely transformed with many clicks of the cursor (they can even apply mascara, lipstick, you-name-it-they-do-it using photoshop!) It is unbelievable.
Returning back to Cameron's talk she goes on to say what models apparently never say on camera..."I'm insecure". That in the modelling industry, the women with the "skinniest thighs and shiniest hair" are insecure because "they have to think about how they look every day".
Now what's the biggest shocker there for you?
For me, it was that for so many years I've strived to be like these images of perfection that are bombarded onto the screens infront of me. I've put the bar of expectation of how I think I should look mega high. I've stressed over having them "skinniest thighs" - yet, even the models with the skinniest thighs still aren't content...they're life isn't now sussed...they're life isn't now perfect - how I thought mine would be. They're insecure?
So do you know what? Girls all across the world are striving for these unattainable goals that ultimately won't even produce satisfaction. They're looking at themselves in the mirror and hating on what they see because it's not how so-and-so looks on the front of that magazine. Oh and if we do reach those slightly more attainable goals of, let's say - 'shredding that extra pound of weight' - we'll want more. The battle won't be over. That won't be enough. It's a never ending circle spiralling out of control.
Something has to be done.
The reflections we see in the mirror should not be distorted by "socially constructed ideas of beauty". They should be plastered in truth.
I'll keep you posted.
