Friday, August 26, 2016
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
The Bobble Head: Get Your Dumb Idol Here!
I recently
came across a humorous post of a cat’s head on a Barbie doll’s figure. And the
quote accompanying it?
“Yet another unrealistic standard of
beauty for women.”
I
immediately thought of those bobble head toys of many celebrities and
characters.
And it
struck a nerve.
For, honestly,
within our culture, this post isn’t that far-fetched. It may seem ridiculous,
this Barbie doll body with an actual feline’s head on top of it.
But, come
on. What absurd things have we put out there in the name of image? What crash diets,
what severe beauty aesthetics and value measurements have come and gone,
changed, only to resurface, once again, in some other strange, distorted
fashion?
It still
doesn’t address the fact of how we often refuse to confront the real issue.
We want an
instant, easy “solution,” one which only focuses on the often unrealistic
exterior.
After all...
“The body type portrayed in
advertising as the ideal is possessed naturally by only 5% of the American
females.”
The Renfrew Center Foundation for
Eating Disorders, “Eating Disorders: A
Summary of Issues, Statistics, and Resources”
Our pursuit
of an emaciated standard is unrealistic, much like this cat head/human female
body hybrid.
Furthermore,
the construction of such weird, absurd and extreme idols does not work...
“What profiteth the graven image that the
maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the
maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? Woe unto him that saith
to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is
laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of
it.”
Habakkuk
2:18-19
Unfortunately,
we often choose not to believe Scripture. We are thoroughly convinced this bobble head option will be our magic
cure.
This will
fulfill us. This is our answer.
Years ago, in popular culture and
image history, there was a celebrity phenomenon called “the Lollipop actresses.” These famous
starlets were known to diet to a point in which their much whittled frames were
disproportionate to their now seemingly, gigantic heads. They looked like
lollipops.
And, again, Habakkuk pops up...
“What
profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten
image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to
make dumb idols? Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone,
Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there
is no breath at all in the midst of it.”
This humorous cat/Barbie post
underscores an uncomfortable, unflattering issue.
In one way or another, we make the graven
image (the idol).
In one way or another, we allow it to
influence us and teach us lies.
In one way or another, we expect the dumb idol
to spring to life and, therefore, give us life in return.
One little hitch to that plan?
“there
is no breath at all in the midst of it.”
You and I may not have a shrine
erected to a cat head/Barbie body within our homes, but, really, honestly, couldn’t
there be some form of image we wish to embody? Be honest.
And that is the spiritual, hard work
challenge.
What is your Bobble head? What is your
idol?
And how is it failing you?
A little afterthought here...
“I returned, and saw under the sun... time and chance happeneth to
them all. “
Ecclesiastes 9:11
Just yesterday, I came across a similar
post on social media.
Only now, we have a dinosaur head on a
female body.
It is absurd and yet again,
illustrates the point of how, there truly is “nothing new” going on when it comes
to the frenzy of an accepted beauty image.
And there is nothing new about the
drastic distortion, presented as “achievable” or “normal.”
Therefore, it is up to each of us to,
in our own unique way, identify, confront and see these images for what they
are, dumb, powerless idols, stacked up against the reality of our presence, wonderful,
incredible us.
And again, if you need a scripture
cheer to underscore that...
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
Psalm 139:14
No bobble head can promise that.
None.
Copyright © 2016 by Sheryle Cruse
Monday, August 22, 2016
Teaching the Dangerous Diet?
Disordered image
issues have been with me since my childhood. But I wasn’t the only one engaging
in the mindsets.
When I was
in fifth grade, during recess, my third grade teacher struck up a conversation
with me. We had just returned from summer vacation and, as children are prone
to do, I had changed. Perhaps it was a growth spurt. Regardless, my third grade
teacher remarked, “Sheryle, you’ve slimmed down. Are you dieting?”
I was
shocked by the question…and flattered.
By this
time, I’d already started my dieting and self-rejection behaviors. I knew
something was “wrong” with me as long as I was overweight. But hearing the
validation from an adult, from one of my teachers, no less, gave it extra firepower. Now it had credence beyond my mother or miscellaneous family
members who made comments about my overweight body. This feedback was from an
objective “outsider,” after all. And she was an expert on children, a teacher. So, it must be true, right?
Autumn is
typically when kids are starting new school years. Whether it’s elementary,
high school or college, young people often return to classes having undergone
some kind of change or growth spurt. And yes, there may be some startling
transformations.
As someone
in recovery, I get quite uneasy as people make comments about physical
appearance. It’s tough enough as an adult. But I get extremely nervous when an adult makes a comment about a child’s
weight. Whether it’s an insult, a warning or high praise, there’s still danger
at the mention of the issue.
Kids do
learn their value systems from the adults surrounding them. Family poses its
own challenges, with their image estimations. Authority figures, like teachers
and clergy, likewise, teach powerful lessons on what is valuable, worth
rejecting and “right.” Never underestimate the power of those words/life
lessons.
And so, I’m
including some pointers concerning children and their appearance.
1) Don’t comment on a child’s physical appearance.
There’s no setting in which it’s appropriate. Kids need to be kids, free from
the importance of a thin appearance.
2) Don’t criticize an overweight physical
stature. You’re not an expert; you’re not a doctor. If there’s a legitimate
health concern, deal with it in a health context, not in the context of your personal
appearance opinions.
3) Don’t recommend dieting. Again, if
there’s a legitimate health issue, work with trained doctors, nutritionists and
therapists to resolve it. But believing your own “fix it” plan of placing a
child on a diet may do more harm than good. You could be setting that child up
for a lifetime of negative self-esteem and body image issues.
4) Don’t praise the child for a thinner
body; don’t compare the child with another child’s physique. Again, this is
unhealthy. You’re sending a toxic message that the child is inferior and will
not be “okay” unless and until he/she whittles down to the particular desired
weight.
5) DO validate the child, as is. Let
him/her know there’s nothing which can add or detract from their lovability,
value and uniqueness. The child is wonderful as is. Period. Therefore, teach
this truth to your child as soon as he/she is old enough to understand. For
example…
“God saw all that he had made, and it
was very good…”
Genesis 1:31
“A beautiful person is not defined by a hair
style, a pair of shoes, it’s not the logos on the T-shirt, the sport’s team on
a hat, the designer’s name on a hand bag, or even how you smell.
Instead, beauty lies in who you are when no one is watching, the person you are when there’s nothing to hide behind. No amount of concealer can cover up a cantankerous heart, but all the make-up in the world can’t add a single lumen to the brightness of a beautiful soul.”
Justin Young
Instead, beauty lies in who you are when no one is watching, the person you are when there’s nothing to hide behind. No amount of concealer can cover up a cantankerous heart, but all the make-up in the world can’t add a single lumen to the brightness of a beautiful soul.”
Justin Young
You may
think I’m overreacting, but believe me, one never knows who will respond to
image comments through a dangerous eating disorder. Certain comments can be the
triggering factor which launches a particular child into anorexia, bulimia,
self-hatred and suicidal tendencies.
Disordered body
and eating issues are complex and tough enough to navigate in our distorted image
culture today as adults. But children are vulnerable innocents. And so, we do need everything in our arsenal to
equip them with a healthy sense of sense, as well as healthy lifestyle habits.
We are
teaching them something. May none of
us, then, teach them the prisons of life-threatening and soul- shattering disorder.
They deserve
to never learn that lesson!
Copyright © 2016 by
Sheryle Cruse
Sunday, August 21, 2016
The Attacking Fox
Recently,
local news coverage focused on a weird occurrence in the Twin Cities metro
area. Apparently, around one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes, there were wild fox
attacks of two lake goers. They were enjoying the beauty of the summer day,
walking their dogs and biking, when, blamm-o- they’re fending off an element of
nature who insists on sinking its teeth in their legs.
This
“shouldn’t have” happened. After all, this was a scenic area, open to the
public. People had been hiking, biking and walking their dogs for years in this
place, with no incidents like this.
As I watched
the broadcast segments, complete with updates on how these unfortunate
individuals were in the process of receiving rabies shots “just in case,” I was
struck by how, we are, likewise, occasionally hit from a strange attack,
seemingly “out of nowhere.”
These things
don’t make sense. They include the betrayals from least likely loved ones, the
lethal diagnosis, spiting our healthy lifestyle choices and the extreme act of
nature which ravages our homes and families.
Despite our
intentions and efforts, these “things” happen.
“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle
to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of
understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to
them all.”
Ecclesiastes
9:11
Yet, with
that eternally said, it often still doesn’t cancel the “why question” we ask
when these things hit.
“Why is this happening to me?”
Scripture
gives us abundant answers, even if they feel far from satisfying...
“But all these things
will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent
me.”
John 15:21
“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.”
“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.”
Matthew 10:24
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to
face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12
We see
through our life glass very darkly. We don’t understand.
But there is
purpose; there is meaning, even if/when we don’t see it. And, spiritually
speaking, there is merit...
“For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory;”
2 Corinthians 4:17
Again, it’s
not satisfying to our carnal natures.
What is the
proverbial fox attacking you right now?
If nothing is going on, just wait.
It’s not to
be negative; it’s to be realistic.
Again...
“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle
to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of
understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to
them all.”
Ecclesiastes
9:11
Yet, we are
to take comfort in still more powerful reality checks...
“…I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is
none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what
is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I
please.' From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to
fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have
planned, that I will do.”
Isaiah 46:9-11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the
Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
No matter
what the attack “attempt” may be, the ultimate counterattack challenge is for
each of us to respond with the Word from the Most High.
“For the word of God is quick, and
powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing
asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of
the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my
ways, says the Lord. For as the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My
thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
Scripture,
indeed, conquers all!
Copyright © 2016 by Sheryle Cruse
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