Bullying in a Way That Might Surprise You~A to Z Challenge

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Bullying

Over the last decade, more and more incidents of bullying have come to light. People are taking it seriously. Schools and communities open their ears, more willing to hear what's unseen. Or better worded: what
sometimes is chosen not to be seen. Support groups have been started. Others have formed foundations to raise funds and awareness. There's even anti-bullying lessons taught in schools and survival methods if one is being bullied.

As serious as the topic of bullying is, I'm not highlighting this topic in the manner most of us are accustomed to seeing. This bullying isn't about the kid that sat next to you in elementary school who always had his milk money stolen. It's not about the neighbors at the end of the street, who no one really knew much about but everyone called them names and talked behind their backs. 

This is about self-bullying.

Our society talks about suicide, anorexia (as I did yesterday), depression, and other disorders, but fails to spotlight one major contributor to each of those ~ perfectionism and the result if one doesn't live up to his/her own image of perfect self. 

I know I'm guilty of it. We've all seen someone who appears more put together than we are and find a little voice whispering inside us She's better than me or Just look at him and all he's accomplished. Wow.

We're taught to accept others for who they are, but that must also apply to ourselves. When we learn self-acceptance, our view of others clears, and our need for perfection fades. We realize we're all imperfect beings and that's what makes us individuals and ultimately special. 

So today, be kind to yourself. There's only one of you, and I'm glad you're here. 

ANOREXIA ~ A to Z Challenge

WELCOME to my opening day of the A to Z Challenge 2014!!! 
For those who don't know me, here's a quick briefing on moi.  But skip to the post if you don't care. I'm totally okay with that. ツ

• mother of 4 
• wife
• dancer 
• lover of rainstorms 
• major ice hockey fanatic 
• dog/cat lady
• writer of the average tween/teen who's not so average, repped by the fabulous Paula Munier 
• YA novel is currently on sub. MG novel almost ready to go.
• Oh, and I fear car washes. But that's for later on this month.

My A to Z gig: OFF the CUFF. 

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Basically, I'll be keeping posts short and writing about whatever moves me~themes, inspirations, causes, and silliness. I'll stick to my normal posting of Mondays & Wednesdays (possibly an occasional other day), highlighting the appropriate letter for said day. But I will visit blogs throughout the week. I am looking forward to reading your words! : 

Anorexia 

Anorexia is clinically defined by two characteristics:  

• a lack or loss of appetite for food (as a medical condition)
• an emotional disorder characterized by an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat 

I HAD NO IDEA is the theme NEDA-National Eating Disorder Awareness organization-adopted for 2014. Most people have no idea the truth threading that statement. 
Anorexia does not discriminate. There is not ethnic, religious, or economic barrier shielding one segment of the population from its potential destruction. Suffers are normal, average. They can be the popular guy at your high school, or the mother of your best friend. They can be the meek cashier at your local convenience store or the successful business woman at your state's capital. And they can be of any weight and body shape. Suffers are not just the bone-skinny type. Lots of times they wear a smile and involve themselves in activities. Some seem to have the world by the horns, appearing fully put together. 
The disorder begins in the mind, where a distorted image of self has developed. On some level, suffers see themselves as not good or whole enough. Sometimes the cause initiates with weight, but not always. And those weight issues are sometimes not weight issues at all. Lots of times deep seated pains and insecurities have been left to fester. Pains buried so deeply, the sufferer doesn't even realize there in lies the stem of their problem.  

Links - HERE & HERE | Click to enlarge

I know, because I'm a past sufferer - senior year of high school/freshman year in college. I wasn't overweight. On the contrary, I was thin and had a dancer's figure from dancing my entire life. But, at age seventeen, my life fell apart with my mom's diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Whoa ... that's weird to type out loud. I've never told anyone that before. Guess I'm ready to share in a future post. 
My purpose for writing today is not about me. It's to raise essential AWARENESS, so the public can better understand these sufferers and know this is real. How many times since I've recovered have I heard, That's stupid. Just eat, already. 
Anorexia is not about eating.  It's tangible.  And dangerous. 
But there is help. 
More information: NEDAwareness - Twitter - Facebook | ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) - Twitter - Facebook | LINK to more organizations
I'd appreciate it if you'd help spread this important message by sharing via social media - #NEDAwareness or #recovery. I don't have a gift or prize for you. Chalk it up to your Good Deed for the Day and that you brought an enormous smile to my face and those who've struggled with this disorder. Thank you.