Unrealistic Expectations for 2014 – Part 1

Share Button

By Kac Young PhD, ND, DCH

fruits-and-vegetablesWe live in a world of lies. Photoshop slims, tightens and erases the handiwork of life-earned badges. Digital imaging places castles where there are swamps and takes years off offending thigh cellulite. The manipulation of visual reality generates a “perfect world” and creates a psychological prison of inferiority within us where we fall into the pit of believing that we aren’t entitled to love, pleasure, success or enjoyment because we’re not “perfect.” How can we be? No one person, including the Hollywood stars, can measure up to the power of retouching (distorting!) the natural image. We have to get over it. We have to stop buying into the propaganda of perfection.

I challenge us to be healthier in mind, body and spirit this new year by not accepting the false reality created by movies, television and magazines. Rise above the shallow efforts of corporations who enhance images to make their products look like they deliver miraculous results. Embrace the signs that you have lived a life, survived challenges and chosen to go full-tilt-boogie down your path of experiences. Find pride and joy in those things that have made you who you are today.

Instead of striving to be “perfect” try being adequate. A dear friend of mine told me decades ago to “lower your expectations so you can be happier.” I followed that advice and I became happier simply because I let myself off the hook. I traded in my quest for perfection and decided to simply be the best me I could be. When I’m the best me I can be, I love looking in the mirror, I love being content with who and what I see and I love being able to let others off the hook, too. That’s my definition of happiness.

You can be happier and more accepting of yourself if you follow these six tips.

1) Eat healthy. Add more fruits, vegetables and fiber to your diet. Get rid of saturated fats, reduce salt and sugar and use substitutes for bread and cheese. www.HeartEasy.com can show you how to do that.

2) Exercise. Take care of your body, increase your energy and live a longer and healthier, more vibrant, life. Find something you like to do. There are classes in everything from Kick Boxing to Tai Chi and I guarantee there is a program out there just for you. Find it and do it. Create the body you want to have. No more excuses.

Stay tuned for part 2 of this article shortly…..

Kac Young , a former television director and producer, has earned a Ph.D. in Natural Health and is a Doctor of both Clinical Hypnotherapy and Naturopathy. She is a counselor, a teacher and the author of 10 books. Heart Easy is a system of nutritionally sound, delicious meals that promote heart health, long life and taste great. Traditional recipes are turned into heart healthy meals that anyone can make. The health results are outstanding.