Power of a name.

I've always been struck by the human activity of naming and classification. Doubtless language is constantly changing but we feel uncomfortable if we don't know what to call a thing. Other animals are content with taking a quick pee to mark territory so I can see how the human system has higher merits. At times though, those names and labels we give ourselves hold us back.

Part of this process of changing my lifestyle through mostly eating and exercise has been mental as well. When you wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and tell yourself you are a fat person, then you are those pounds and many more added for guilty emphasis.

I got a catalog this week with beautiful, sporty clothes that I couldn't understand why the manufacturer couldn't make them for big people. I haven't been following it regularly, but I caught one episode of Ruby on the Style channel where she asked pretty much the same thing. Although, yes, I would rather not have to make my own clothes and would prefer buying normal sizes, why does that label -- PLUS -- stand for garish, flowery prints with pleats?

I am generalizing of course because I have built a collection over time of not garish, flowery clothes but I was just reminded of the contrast when I flipped through page after page of beautiful clothes for smaller people. These women were not sticks either and that was actually inspiration so I'm keeping this catalog.

This week my classification experiment is going to be to think 'athletic.' I'm changing my mind about who I am and everything else will follow.