Taking Care of the Inside…
Racial profiling…heard of that? I was throwing that thought around in my head the other day when someone asked me if I was black. I graciously answered the question asked of me and proceeded to say I was of the "people" race. The girl and I laughed and the day went on. I started thinking of the word "profile" and realized we constantly do this all the time. If you check out someone’s car, you’re profiling…does that person have money or not? If you hear any kind of accent in someone’s voice, again, profiling…Texas? London? When in the gym you see someone that is ripped to the core vs. someone who is in the process of getting in shape, once again, we are profiling. Constantly analyzing someone, assessing with all our five senses and categorizing the individual into a certain "type." It’s easy to assume when we see a fit vs. an unfit person the fit is in good health. On a certain level, there is some truth to this, but I’ve come to find out there is some gray matter here. Just last week I found out my body is in a catabolic state, now from the outside looking in you would never have guessed! Now, I’ve been low on energy but I’m of an old stubborn mindset, "it’s all in your head," "you’re being a wuss," and my personal favorite…"no pain, no gain." LOL. I went to the gym after my diagnosis (still in denial) and decided to give it some thought on the treadmill. I took a vacancy next to a heavy girl, she rolled her eyes at me as I stepped on the treadmill. I’m not sure what profile she gave me, but I couldn’t help but notice she was working the treadmill with thriving energy. It was a sad moment when I finally accepted the fact that my outside does not match my inside. Here’s the lesson once again, somehow it continues to escape me. Being fit is not only about what you see, but it’s also about what you don’t see. If you don’t feel well, chances are, something is up and sometimes…well let’s face it, you are being a wuss!
October 22, 2007 at 10:40 am
I agree with you about profiling. Sometimes we for an opionion on somebody with out evern knowing them. We need to give peopole a chance and not for the wrong opinion in our head. Best wishes.
October 22, 2007 at 10:41 am
Interesting post, Spanish Belle. Gives one food for thought.
October 22, 2007 at 10:49 am
Great post spanishbelle! Thank you!
October 22, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Aint that the truth about profiling. I hate profiling. I have 2 graduate degees from 2 different universities, and get funny stares when I enter a company wide meeting. They can’t believe that I’m the one that’s running things.
October 22, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Great post Belle!!! As the old saying goes "You can’t judge a book by it’s cover!" BTW I’m from the people race as well!
October 22, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Stay motivated. where the mind goes the body will follow. How you profile yourself is all that matters. To me, I don’t care what they look like, I am happy to see them all at the gym. good luck.
October 23, 2007 at 9:52 am
yup, we all profile and judge everyone and everything we see, all the time, without end. you can’t help that you make an assesment of something or someone based on your initial information, its how your brain works, you must categorize and assign everything with a way to organize it in your head.
now, what you can work on and make to be nice and happy for everyone is what you DO about you assesments. if you see that someone has a nice car, then you may assume they are rich, and thats probably a safe thought, but you can either treat that person differently because they are rich, or not, thats the key
October 23, 2007 at 11:51 am
Great post, Now the question is what are we to do about that. I mean human is human, right. Most people are visual. Yeah stereotypes is bad and can cause a great deal of pain to many, it’s when we are emotional enough to no that this world is built of many beautiful sujects, colorful, evil, bright and wonderous, learning to accept the challenge that we as humans no matter what class, bring our own greatness to this earth.
October 23, 2007 at 3:10 pm
It’s called perception when you boil it all down, and the unfortunate fact is that the entities pushing our mainstream, IE, entertainers, advertiser’s and world leaders (politicians) have ensured that the world for the rest-of-us, will be based on perception. Like it or not, it’s fact…You basically are what people perceive you to be…..whatever that may be at the time. May your catabolic state be a short affair….
October 23, 2007 at 7:45 pm
I like your comment about the "people" race. Stereotypes and perception only have the power that we give them. Great outlook.