Andrew says he's paralyzed by his negative self-image and isn't enjoying his life.
Dr. Laura: "Let your inner beauty shine. "
โWhat are you hard on yourself aboutโ
๐ Read Andrew's inspirational follow-up email ๐
Iโm not sure if you remember my call, but I called you yesterday (08 March) regarding lifelong issues Iโve had regarding my body image and obsession with my weight. I just wanted to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you from the bottom of heart because you really made me see things so differently, as deep down I knew that you would.
First of all, your advice to me was to focus on showing people my real self and who I am as a person and what value I bring to other people apart from my outward appearance. At first, I was a little disappointed, because when I called, I had the expectation that weโd psychoanalyze me to โget to the bottomโ of why I was experiencing what I had been for most of my life. But you didnโt do that. You told me that whatever had happened to me in the past didnโt matter anymore and that it was a waste of time to try to analyze myself.
After the call, I spent all afternoon, last night, and this morning really thinking about your advice and it occurred to me that for most of my life, my loved ones, friends and people in general have always complimented me on how kind I am, how soft-hearted and how helpful I am. Up until now, Iโd never really taken those compliments to heart and I didnโt really value and appreciate them; instead I was so focused and preoccupied by how I placed my own value on my outward appearance.
It then hit me like a lightning bolt that I have been so ungrateful and unappreciative toward those people because I didnโt really appreciate or even acknowledge what they really saw in me. The people around me have always told me how valued I was based on those qualities, but I chose to ignore it and only focus instead on something so trivial and temporal.
I wouldnโt have been able to realize this without your insight, and for that I am truly grateful to you. Instead of wasting my life beating myself up about my appearance and dwelling on trivial things that donโt really matter, what you helped me to realize has given me a new lease on life to be even kinder and more helpful towards others so that I can live up to those compliments that Iโve received.
I know that you often get a lot of flak in the media and by people for being blunt and for not coddling people in their problems; but thinking back to my call, Iโm so glad and appreciative that you didnโt coddle me because I wouldnโt have been able to reach the insight that I did.
Iโm now determined to be happy in life by being even more kind to others and to focus on how I can help and uplift other people. After I die, I want to be remembered for my kindness and helpfulness.
Thank you again for your invaluable wisdom. You really are a treasure.
Sincerely,
Andrew