No one ever said I had a pretty face...

There are a lot of back-handed comments in our world of fat aren't there? I think they are comments that actually disguise questions that our friends and families (or perfect strangers) have.

For example - You have such a pretty face! = Why are you so fat?
Another example (while watching someone on television who lost a lot of weight) - You could do that! = Why are you so lazy?
Yet another (while trying on clothes) - Those look like they run small. = OMG! You have to go up another size?
One more (while looking at pictures) - Look how cute you were! = What the hell happened to you?

As we all know, some people are not that polite and just scream horrible, mean things at us. This is the funniest to me. If what goes around, comes around, then they should be scared that God will make them fat. Also, we are not blind. When we are fat, we know it. Someone else pointing it out does not educate us or motivate us in some new, profound manner.

I did not endure a lot of this but I know many have and I think it is absolute crap. No one should have to listen to this stuff. So I was thinking about it and I realized something.

No one ever told me I had a pretty face. Like, ever. I have been told I was cute or quirky. I think quirky is another term for annoying. It is my personality that makes me stand out. If I had to say I looked like someone, it would be Cindy Brady from the Brady Bunch (minus the lisp). I looked a lot like her as a child.

What the hell is my rambling point? Lately, a couple of people have told me I am pretty. It is nice that people want to give a complement but I probably look at them with shock in my face. In 31 years, I never heard that....until I lost a bunch of weight. In my mind, I am still Cindy Brady, always will be (even when I was at my heaviest and people avoided looking at me, I saw Cindy Brady).

I would be less shocked if someone said "Wow, you look way less fat! It makes you look better." And being the straight shooter I am, I would say a heart-felt thank you and appreciate their honesty. The world does not operate under my beliefs, obviously. We are a society of extremes. Extreme pleasantries or extreme insults. I try to fly down the middle of the road. This journey has really made me analyze the things I say before I speak them aloud (which is very hard for me and my big mouth). I have noticed that words stay with people (including myself) for a long time.

So say something nice to someone today. But mean it. Make it honest. We are wise enough to know the difference.