Harsh realities are only a small part of the bigger picture

Someone told me that I look good in a picture that I know I look terrible. It made me wonder if I look so much worse than what I thought I did that this is what people perceived to be “good”. They claim that they just see the good and ignore the “terrible” that I seem to be obsessed with. I’d wonder if they were outright lying to me if it weren’t for the fact that I knew these are people that do not shy away from telling me uncomfortable truths. Well, it made me think of other times when we declare something as good when it’s clear that things aren’t good at all.

For example, if I see a solution to a certain problem is it because I think the problems that arise are normally so much worse, making this one so petty that I can actually handle it? Perhaps I can see the potential of a positive resolution, no matter how muddled up my thinking gets? Or it may just be that I am hoping for a solution, but in actual fact, I fear that the situation is doomed? And the question comes to mind, does all this over-analysing help? Why not ride the positive outlook and let it take me wherever it can?

Admittedly, I have moments when I feel great in my body, that I’m at a good fitness level, that I’m healthier than I’ve been for a while. But then my inner critic kicks in to remind me that I used to be much fitter than I am now and the reason I feel healthier is because I’ve neglected my health so much for so long. So, should that take away from my recognition that I’m doing better? Should the fact that I feel good for a moment be diminished because it’s just a reminder of my potential (and subsequently, my current failure)? Am I in denial of what the state of my health is if I allow myself to feel good when I’m not in a good place at all? But again, how does all this over-analysing help? Why not let my feeling good for a moment motivate me to return to the optimal health I know I can achieve because I remember I achieved it before?

And what of people that tell me that they love me at (what I perceive to be) my worst, is it because normally I’m so much worse that this is when I’m actually lovable? Or is it because they see the good side of me, even when it’s clouded with all the struggles that prevent me from being at my best? Surely it can’t be that they are just saying things to appease me? And once again, why question it? Why can’t I just accept that people aren’t so narrow-minded to dismiss the aspects of me that they love, just because I’m at a moment in my life that doesn’t reflect the best that I can be?

Rather than let the bad dismiss all the good, I need to find the courage to see the good, especially at times I know that things are bad. Rather than dismiss the short moments of feeling good, I should find the confidence to ride the potential I recognise, and pull myself back to the ideal health I aspire to. Rather than question people’s motives when they express kindness and affection, I need to find the confidence to appreciate their loyalty and reciprocate their affection. Harsh realities are only a small part of the bigger picture, the potential for wonderful journeys, ideal resolutions, and loving people is infinite as we zoom out to see the picture as a whole.