My mother always taught me to choose and use my words wisely. When talking with others, our words can encourage or discourage; they can either build up or tear down.  The same can be true for the ways we talk to ourselves. Our language toward ourselves and others shapes who we are. Sometimes this is intentional and sometimes it’s just embedded in our culture and, unless we stop to reflect on our words, we may not realize their impact.

While meeting with my spiritual director two weeks ago, I was sharing about my weight loss journey and she said something that gave me pause. When discussing weight loss, she said she prefers to use the word shed. I’ve spent some time pondering that distinction and it does indeed make a difference. When we hear that something is lost, we instinctively want it to be found. Consider the “Lost” parables in Luke 15, especially the parable of the lost coin. The woman in this story loses a coin and she searches diligently – sweeping the whole house, scouring every nook and cranny – until she finds it. When something is lost, we want to find it.

Except weight, that is. I really do not want to find those 69 pounds that I have lost!

Shedding, however, means to cast off or to release; to let go. This is a much better framework for considering one’s weight and journey toward health and wholeness. And so, as of last Friday, March 23, I have SHED 69 pounds (27 prior to surgery, 42 since surgery). I have happily released them and let them go!

Until next time, peace …