's Message Sunday Feb 3, 2008

[Guest guest]

FACING THE NUMBERS

Sunday, 03 February 2008

We all learn our numbers the same way. Our parents keep repeating them, as they teach them to us and, slowly but surely, we learn to count. Our folks get so excited with our progress that they have to show us off, like to our grandmother. Grandma's in the room and Mom tells us...Honey, come here and show Grandma how well you can count!And there we are, every bit of three years-old standing in front of Grandma, hands behind out backs and we begin...One, tw-ooo, thweee...foe-ahh, five......all the way up to 10 as Grandma bursts into applause. Oh, we were so proud!But from that happy moment on, numbers became a little bit of a curse in our lives. For instance, did you have a spot in your kitchen where you stood by a wall and your parents marked off your height? And it seemed all of your brothers or sisters were taller than you? You may have even felt a little inadequate because of your height.But it gets worse. When you started school, it was, you'll surely remember, all about numbers there, too! When you received a 100 score on your homework assignment, oh, you were on top of the world! But, if you got a number under 70, oh-oh! That meant you might even get a good scolding or even a little punishment, when you got home!And then there were the tests. Boy, the numbers really counted then, didn't they? 90 or above was usually and "A" but a score in the 70's was the lowly "C." Isn't it something how those few stupid little points could make you feel, well...so "stupid!" No fair!Now lets' talk about another set of numbers. You know where I'm headed, don't you? Yep, I'm talking about the numbers on your scale!

You know how it goes. You hold your breath, as you bring one foot slowly up to the scale's platform, then the other. As you settle on a standing position, the numbers begin to race, the dial bounces past 100, 140, 180, 200...and you have already begun to scream...My Lord! Do I really weigh that much? That can't be right!When you see those numbers on the scale, you're so unhappy, you never want to stand on a scale again! When you visit the doctor, you tell him to not even bother weighing you and to just take an educated guess!And thank goodness there's no scale when you go to get a new driver's license at the DMV, right? They just take your word for what you weigh and if you want to lie about your weight on your license, then you can! (They probably don't believe you but will put whatever number you tell them to put on your license.)

You get nervous even thinking about getting on the scale. And with the new digital scales, those numbers come up big, fast and in those bright digital numbers in red or green!Now you know, I've preached to you about having a more peaceful existence on this earth. And hey, I'm still searching for it too, just like you. But in order to be peaceful about your weight-loss, you must be peaceful about your relationship with the scale.We all have bad memories, from when we were children, of getting on that big doctor's scale they used at school. The "clunk-clunk" sound, as the school nurse kept moving that balance bar across, (gasp), how much would you weigh? I even used to close my eyes at the doctor's office when I was a kid. I'd ask the doctor to not tell anyone the number. And because he liked me so much, he'd just whisper the number in my ear!Now where's your bathroom scale? After reading this message. I want you to get it out and clean it up. They can get pretty dusty when you don't use them that often. And if you have one of those battery-operated ones, I want you to put in some brand new batteries. Next, put your scale on a very even floor. Then I want you to strip yourself, (of your fears), and see what that scale has to say to you.I want you to face those numbers, find some peace in your heart then...get ready! Get ready to work, diligently, lowering those numbers on your scale!Love,