We have heard numerous authors talk about the illusions we hold of ourselves. From Deepak Chopra to Echart Tolle, they discuss that what we see or think we see is simply an illusion.
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As much as I admire these guys, I couldn’t understand what the heck they were talking about. An illusion is something not there and we think it is. Clearly that tree I am looking at is there. And so is the laundry I just hung on the line.
So I let it go and never thought about it again. Until, that is, the answer became very clear to me.
I had lost a whole lot of weight a number of years ago without trying. I was going through life changing events causing me an incredible amount of stress. My nerves were bad and I suppose I was depressed since I cried all the time. (I swear all the tears is what caused the weight to leave)
One day, I ran into someone at the mall that I hadn’t seen in a few months. She pulled me aside and asked if I was sick. I had a strange look on my face I’m sure because I didn’t know why she would be asking me that.
She mentioned my dramatic weight loss and how my face was sunken. That was my awareness call. I did not even realize I was that thin. All I saw in the mirror was the same person that was there 3 months prior.
Obviously I had to buy smaller clothes but the illusion was real. I still looked and felt the same in my mind.
People were complimenting me all the time for my weight loss and although I now understood I had lost a significant amount of weight, that was only on a conscious level. Because I see the numbers on the scale, and I see the size difference in clothing I knew I was thinner. Subconsciously however, all remained the same.
I looked in the mirror and saw the illusion of the old me. Unhappy with my weight, frustrated that I let this happen, self loathing. I did not appreciate and was not grateful for the weight loss that I had prayed for so often. My mind chatter was exactly the same. Same voices same berating words..”oh look at that roll over top your pants!” “your so fat!”, ‘you can’t wear that, who do you think you are?”.
Time went on and I finally came to accept my weight loss. I had seen pictures of myself and that is when it finally sunk in. Acceptance. The voices stopped for a while, I felt good and I accepted myself.
Or so I thought…
When in your life have you felt this way? The illusion so real to you, you could touch it, feel it? So real you would have argued your point?
Illusions are the master of perceptions. Left to your subconscious you will always be as you have always been, always do what you have always done.
Master your perceptions and master your life.
Stay tuned for part 2!
Love this post. That’s what you called the power of the mind. Thanks for sharing this.
I do exactly where you are coming from. I’ve lost about 45 pounds from my heaviest. Sometimes when I look in the mirror I still see that person, not who I am today. It takes some mental jarring to get that out of my head. Looking forward to part 2!
Our minds are very powerful, indeed…quite amazing that it was so powerful that you couldn’t see the weight loss…it works the reverse way, too! (not seeing weight gain). Great post, Suzanne!
Yes, it all begins in our mind…it has the power! Thanks so much for sharing this inspirational post,Suzanne.
Suzanne, I love your posts. I was right there with you …You have a gift of helping me see things that normally I don’t even think about. Thank you for that!!!
What a great reminder of how we must master our mind. Thanks for sharing!
Amazing. The mind is so powerful.
Everything truly does begin within our mind which is why it is so very important for continued intentional self-awareness. Thanks for sharing your story that proves this point!Great article!
Gosh, that sounds unusual that you are replacing clothing and see real numbers on the scale and your mind still kept you locked in “too much weight” – is that what happened? I love it when I buy a smaller size – that puts a smile on my face and I know I’ve accomplished a good body thing! thanks for the insights and great job!!
I think the one word you used to hit the nail on the head of this whole post is “acceptance”. The power of one’s mind…and I’m sure you know this lol…is so strong that we easily can block or create our own success!
Love this stuff! Great post ..So True “Master your perceptions and master your life.”..Looking forward to Part 2
I love your call to action! You almost have no choice but to comment! So I thought about this for a moment, and I do believe the biggest illusion in my life was my 4 year Marriage. I was married at 18, and even though I was mostly home alone, mostly in tears, and completely miserable. I had myself convinced that marriage lasted because it was supposed to. You had to pick, then put up with the person you had chosen! (I also thought it was rude to say no when proposed to HA!) Boy have I grown. 11 years later, I have the best guy ever. I do believe I’ll tell him yes when he asks!